U.S. underestimates the power of nationalism.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Daniel Sneider

American leaders readily understand the power of the free market and the principle of one man, one vote.

But they suffer from one consistent blind spot when they try to understand the forces that prevail in the world _ the power of nationalism.

Just look at Iraq, where the American occupation authority is wrangling with its most stalwart ally, the Kurds. The Kurds are being forced to abandon their dreams of self-rule in favor of participation in a promised federal democracy. That means the Kurds will inevitably be dominated by their long-time Arab oppressors.

It echoes the advice doled out by former President George H.W. Bush to the restive captive nations of the Soviet Empire. ...