> a nation that for many decades, until quite recently, people worldwide looked to for leadership in the fight against global infectious diseases. We hear simi

> a nation that for many decades, until quite recently, people worldwide looked to for leadership in the fight against global infectious diseases. We hear similar stories in the UK about "our leadership role in the world" but actually travel the world a bit (or perhaps listen to the news in a foreign language for a while) and you'll soon realise that it isn't the case. It's just a story to make people feel good, or shame, whichever is necessary for those telling it.