Few people writing on us foreign policy are as brilliant and original as walter russell mead in special providence he shatters old diplomatic theories and historical assumptions with a creative vengeance the result is a brave landmark study that cannot be ignored douglas brinkley author of rise to globalism american foreign policy. Buy special providence american foreign policy and how it changed the world 1 by walter russell mead isbn 9780415935364 from amazons book store everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Download citation special providence american foreign policy and how it changed the world foreward by richard c leone introduction 1 the american foreign policy tradition 2 the . Walter russell mead is the henry a kissinger senior fellow in us foreign policy at the council on foreign relations he is a regular book reviewer for foreign affairs a member of the editorial board of the american interest and a founding board member of the new america foundation. Walter russell mead scoffs at the contention of sophisticated european realists and their american acolytes that the united states is something of a diplomatic hayseed instead he argues american foreign policy has played a major part in making the united states the richest and most powerful nation in the history of the world