If only Donald Rumsfeld had taken Nixon's wise advice

"The only things that matter in the world are Japan and China, Russia and Europe," Nixon explained. "Latin America doesn't matter. Long as we've been in it, people don't give one damn about Latin America, Don." Stay away from Africa, too, Nixon warned. As for the Middle East, getting involved there carried too many potential hazards for a politician. "People think it's for the purpose of catering to the Jewish vote," Nixon told Rumsfeld. "And anyway, there's nothing you can do about the Middle East."

James Mann, Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet (2003)


If only Rumsfeld had followed this good advice, given him while President Nixon was in the White House. 

Let's all ignore the Middle East now. In fact England shouldn't get involved anywhere really except to trade with the world.

And the European Union?