In countries recovering from war and oppression, meeting citizen’s physical needs is the first priority; but intellectual nutrition is crucial too, and that is Sabre’s specialty. Founded in 1969, Sabre exemplifies the increasing importance of international philanthropy; for 17 years its focus was domestic; then in 1986, its attention shifted to sending books and later CDs abroad, to nurture the intellectual life of communities in crisis. In the last 20 years it has shipped over 7 million new books, with a market value of almost $250 million, to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, the Balkans, and Latin America. What distinguishes this program, beyond magnitude, is demand-driven selectivity. Sabre’s partners abroad aren’t sent publishers’ give-aways: they choose the titles and quantities they need, and distribute them to libraries, schools, and individuals. Currently they are building a program in Iraq—this year two shipments to Kurdish universities and technical institutes—and helping organizations take advantage of the Internet, promoting democratization and economic progress along with literacy. For every $100 donated, Sabre will send $3,000 worth of new books to Iraq or other countries where Sabre operates. If you think humanitarian aid for minds is a preferable foreign policy, here’s your chance to do it.