It's only a limited number, and it is thought to be important for building contacts later in their careers. We are using this program to extend America's influence in military and diplomatic matters. It amounts to no more than a few dozen students per year, paid for by their own governments.
Any foreign student who can win acceptance to an American service academy is among that country's military superstars, the kind of kid who will end up as a top-ranking general or Minister of Defense. If he's a West Point ring-knocker too, don't you think he is going to be favorably disposed towards the American military? It is a good way to introduce Western ethical and human-rights concerns into savage banana-republic militaries. And if nothing else, it may help support overseas sales of our hardware instead of French or Russian stuff.
-ccm
"It's only a limited number, and it is thought to be important for building contacts later in their careers."
Yeah, I know. We have done it a long time. Some illustrious and some notorious products have been produced.
"We are using this program to extend America's influence in military and diplomatic matters. It amounts to no more than a few dozen students per year, paid for by their own governments."
The next thing their governemnts will pay for is a MOSQUE at West Point.
They don't need a worship space. Muslims can worship anywhere. Islam isn't like Christianity or Judaism. And I think its time we stopped the fiction that Islam is a religion of peace, that the Saudis are our allies, and that Muslims are equivalent to any other faith. Read the Koran.
"Any foreign student who can win acceptance to an American service academy is among that country's military superstars, the kind of kid who will end up as a top-ranking general or Minister of Defense."
Or military dictator.
"If he's a West Point ring-knocker too, don't you think he is going to be favorably disposed towards the American military?"
Not necessarily.
"It is a good way to introduce Western ethical and human-rights concerns into savage banana-republic militaries."
Islamic countries aren't savage banana Republics - they are theocratic dictatoriships and providing their citizens with a military education is like giving a loaded gun to a homicidal maniac.
"And if nothing else, it may help support overseas sales of our hardware instead of French or Russian stuff."
They'll buy whatever they can get - and, thatnks to our petrodollars - can afford to get it anywhere they want.