Brazil's Fighter Sweepstakes

But, in the 21st century the economies of scale and all of the other advantages that come with having a robust defense exports business may become a dim memory for U.S. industry. The refusal to allow the LM F-22A Raptor to be exported despite some rather plaintive requests from both Japan and Australia, and then truncating production after 187 units--after a roughly $32 billion investment to develop the aeroplane--seems to make little sense. Brazil may be a country that is struggling to become a nation of the future, but the U.S. appears to be rushing headlong in the opposite direction--and undermining the foundation for how we became a defense powerhouse in the process.

Reuben F. Johnson is a frequent contributor to THE WEEKLY STANDARD Online.