WASHINGTON -- How does America's global role affect the lives of individuals? Currently, momentous international policy decisions are being taken; they encompass war, peace, freedom and the projection of power. It is important to step back and develop a vision of the long-term outcome of those policies for individuals. Perhaps the history of St. Paul can provide us with some direction.
Ask the State Department for travel advice, and you will be referred to the "Travel Warnings" Web site. On it, you will find many admonitions of where not to go and what not to do. For example, Syrian travel should be deferred, since protesters there have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments. Those already there should consider a speedy departure.
For Algeria, nighttime and overland travel and even a walk down the streets of Algiers are nixed. For lesser hotbeds, the standard recommendations seem to include "exercise maximum caution and take prudent measures. Avoid crowds, demonstrations and areas where Americans generally congregate. Keep a low profile, blend in, and don't show that you're an American!"