The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 have quickly revised the policy framework in Washington. Among the new priorities:
DITCHING UNILATERALISM
A hallmark of early Bush Administration foreign policy has been a pullback from previous U.S. involvement in hot spots such as the Middle East. Now, Washington needs to demonstrate its leadership to secure cooperation from other countries and to thwart terrorist networks.
PROTECTING THE U.S. AT HOME
Congress is certain to go along with Bush demands to increase funding for airport security and counterterrorism operations. The Feds may also push for relaxing wiretap restriction and other privacy protection.
RETHINKING STAR WARS
Protecting against threats on earth suddenly becomes more urgent than protecting from theoretical attacks from space. Billions once targeted for Star Wars could be redirected toward intelligence operations and combating other terrorist threats such as chemical and biological warfare.
TABLING THE BUDGET DEBATE
While Bush will be under pressure to retaliate, he will now also have political cover to dip into the Social Security surplus to fund massive increases in Pentagon spending and counterterrorism.
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