By THOMAS P.M. BARNETT, Scripps Howard News Service

Those aggressive and immature Chinese are at it again: sending their spy ships to harass our spy ship as it conducts submarine-related surveillance in international waters off their coast.

Critics of America's frequent military interventions in the post-Cold War era argue that, instead of spreading collective security and reducing conflicts, our "imperial" forces actually destabilize the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It was a distinct privilege for this political scientist -- indeed this American -- to be in Washington D.C. this week for the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama. In an age of persistent and pervasive change, this one instinctively feels most welcome -- and much warranted.

This week my publisher sent me a box of hardcover copies of my soon-to-be-released book. As is my custom, I set aside one copy for each of my kids so that, years from now, they can hold this artifact in their hands -- a direct connection to an age that is disappearing before our eyes.

Looking at the United States from the outside in, these are the primary lessons the world should take away from America's "global war on terrorism" under the Bush-Cheney administration.

My third-annual list of top 10 foreign policy wishes presented in reverse order of urgency:
10. President Obama's speech in New Delhi to the world's Muslims.

Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak's "emergency rule" is deep into its third decade, with modernizing son Gamal teed up as the pharaoh-in-waiting.

The Wall Street Journal has been running an editorial campaign designed to convince the American public that President-elect Barack Obama's administration will constitute a third Bush term in foreign policy. Arguing that Obama's cabinet choices in national security portend more continuation than change, we are treated to a highly deceptive repackaging of the Bush legacy.

Wise men tell Americans that our nation no longer leads this world: we bankrupted ourselves first ideologically through unilateralism, then militarily through "global war," and now financially through the debt crisis. Rising great powers, we are told, now lead the way.

As a strategic planner, I'm wary of the "Manhattan project" mindset. In general, I find it escapist at heart -- as in, "Big government, make this problem magically disappear!" But with all this talk of a huge government stimulus package, I find myself warming to the idea. Let me tell you why.