Smart People being Stupid

Hugh parses Sebastian Mallaby's WaPo column this morning and wondered aloud at about the same time I did while reading the post, how is it that smart men can be so dumb. Mallaby has a fine resume and has worked in many a place all across the globe.

But if his column is to be believed, he has little understanding of much. Of the several key observations, here is the most salient:

Mr. Mallaby is proof that a fine education, long stays in exotic locales and an enormous frequent flyer balance don't bring wisdom of even the elementary sort.

How does a man with so much experience and knowledge conclude that America can but do nothing to change the face of the world staring back at us and win the fight?