21.  But even as recently as five years ago, policy debates in the United States were laced with pessimism about the sustainability of American economic leadership.

22.  But Bill Clinton would rather defer to Moscow than exercise American leadership.

23.  But if she fails to budge anyone, the decline of the peace effort and erosion of American leadership in the Mideast could quickly get worse.

24.  But everything depends on American leadership.

25.  But the blow to American leadership would be far worse if the Bosnia mission fails.

26.  But the failure of American political leadership at the end of the war is, if anything, even more appalling in retrospect.

27.  But the place for American leadership in this case is clear and compelling.

28.  But the aura of American leadership was undeniable.

29.  But, either way, the prospects for American leadership do not look good.

30.  But unless we share the risk, our allies will not so easily respond to American leadership.