India, Jan. 26 -- The courtroom of the International Court of Justice was unusually quiet that morning. Even the translators had stopped whispering into their microphones. The judge adjusted his glasses and looked down at the file, then up at the two Indian lawyers standing confidently before him.

"You have filed a case of discrimination against the United States," he said slowly.

"Yes, My Lord," said the first lawyer, clearing his throat with patriotic firmness. "We feel deeply offended."

"Offended?" asked the judge.

"Very much so," said the second lawyer. "Why is the United States interested only in Greenland, Canada and Venezuela? Why not India?"

A murmur ran through the courtroom. Pens paused mid-sentence. A journalist dropped hi...