>>>>My squadron in the USAF had a motto: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way". In terms of geopolitics we'll lead, they can follow, or they can STFU and mind their own business. If you believe, as I do, that we're a major force for good in this world then you have to look the other way when we're being criticized and not take it too seriously. It's human nature for other countries to take shots at us.
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>>>You make my point. I think it has truly escaped you how much our place in the world has slipped. Bellicose attitudes like yours -- follow us or STFU -- are a big part of the reason. And you want to blame it all on "the liberals." Amazing.
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>>WTF is geopolitics, but splitting the world of the small among the big... and getting to decide whom to call big. The STFU politics is probably the reason that so many "parts of the world" (©GW2B) may love American dream but have learned to hate the American nightmare.
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>>Again, most of the world would appreciate not being helped anymore. If there's a voice pleading for aid, follow the money.
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>I think people here tend to forget that those decisions (which others across the world resent) have been made by many presidents. For example, Clinton and Yugoslavia (don't forget the Chinese embassy too), Bush Sr Iraq and Panama, Reagan and Libya, Ford and Cambodia, Johnson and Nixon in Vietnam, GWB and Somalia, Truman...
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>and I didn't even touch on all of the latin american countries...

And for the most part I was thinking of what is shipped from here as aid. If such amount of arm twisting was extended to the close allies like the French, I can't even imagine what is offered to those who aren't big enough to be considered allies. And then the understandable reaction of the intended recipient can be depicted as ingratitude, feed the snake so it'll bite you, and we liberated you and this is how you repay us. There are no limits to how much good will among the people can be undone by politicians intent on pushing an agenda.