Congress must slam the Heidi Overton window shut

Britain and Russia engaged in the Great Game in the late 19th century, in which they dueled for domination in Central Asia. The game was important to the countries involved, and the prize was thought to be worth the investment of lives and treasure.

Britain eventually won that game. One reason was its investment in professional diplomats and bureaucrats who could deliver results. George Orwell, for example, learned about politics while he served as a young, subdivisional police officer in Burma, at one point shooting a rogue elephant to protect villagers and, of course, himself.