In July 1971, one month after the publication of the Pentagon Papers and a year before the Watergate break-in that would eventually cause his downfall, Richard Nixon gave one of the most interesting, and in retrospect, important, speeches of his political career.
Still relatively unblemished by scandal, Nixon was cruising toward what would become a gigantic reelection win. He had his eyes fixed firmly on the future and on his long-standing penchant, if not obsession, with international affairs.
In a speech to Midwestern media executives that even now remains underappreciated, Nixon said that because of the all-consuming effect of the Vietnam War on American politics, the United States risked losing sight of momentous changes that were reshaping the world.