The problem is that Clinton, like Lyndon Johnson before him, is trapped in a logic of incessant escalation. Everything he does makes the situation worse; the worse the situation gets, the more insistent become the calls to "do something." Now that Clinton's prestige--and that of his country--are engaged in the conflict, he finds it terribly difficult to back out.

Like a person on a bicycle, Clinton must pedal forward in order to stay upright. And yet the terrain he is pedaling toward is full of pock marks, fox holes and blood.

It is ironic that the first President of the Vietnam generation--a man who himself opposed that war--would end up in a quagmire even more dangerous and fruitless than Vietnam. For one thing, today's weapons are far more destructive than those of the 1960s. Secondly, there is danger that a Balkan War would spill over out of the region--even into Russia.

Is there any way out? Yes. Bill Clinton can stop following and start leading. He can stop looking for short term political relief and start looking out for the long term interests of this country. He can put his foot down, do the right thing, and accept the major political beating that is sure to follow.

Oh well. So much for ways out.

Of course the situation in Bosnia is terrible. Of course it is proper that the U.S. try to aid people in need. But when Balkan hatreds and American firepower combine, the situation will only become much, much worse.

And when you are sitting in a foxhole outside Srebrenica, will you still believe in a place called Hope?

Jacques E. C. Hymans, an editor of The Crimson, openly admits that he is a cynic.

He approved the initial airdrops for one purpose: to get Bosnia off of his back

But everything the President does to placate the hawks only strengthens them