Kids, here's your weekend reading assignment. I'm sure Professor Roberts would put it on her reading list too.

When you think about big military spenders, you think of the US, China, Israel, the UK, and some other ass-whuppers. But Norway? A country that hasn't exactly threatened anybody in the last 300 years? Why yes. Norway's charismatic defense minister is transforming her country's defense-oriented military into a niche fighting force aligned with the Pentagon. And yes, Kristin Krohn Devold isn't just one of only two female defense ministers in NATO, she snowboards and is certified to jump with Special Ops paratroopers. Mad sexy. But she has a point: in today's US hegemony, the only way small countries can get respect is to ''identify what you are good at, and concentrate on it." It's not entirely without risk, as greater perceived alignment with the US brings with it a greater chance of being targeted by al Qaeda. Just look at the Jordanian embassy bombing in Baghdad.

Rome used plenty of "auxiliaries" to fight its wars alongside its venerable legionnaires. Is the US heading in the same direction? Time will tell. In the short run, though, Norway's Devold may be on the short-list to replace the UK's Lord George Robertson as Sec-Gen of NATO. Not bad for ski troops.

Music: Busta Rhymes feat. Mariah Carey - I Know What You Want (hey, at 3:30am, BET is a lot better than all the other TV out there...)