Quote Originally Posted by Bob's World View Post
When we slant it should be toward some clearly stated set of principles that we stand for. I think FDR's vision for a post WWII world is a good start point for such a discussion

1. The four freedoms: From fear and want, freedom of speech and religion;
2. The right of self-determination of governance
3. The end of colonialism (or other excessive unwanted external influence over ones governance and day to day lives);
4. The four policemen (in 1945 that was the US, China, Russia and the UK forming a network dedicated to deterring conflicts between others - of course we then broke into two camps and the rest, as they say, is history)

Making others like us is not working. Neither is blindly backing the play of a handful of "enduring" allies. Working to allow others everywhere to be more like themselves but without being able to abuse their neighbors is better, IMO.
Not bad as principles go, but the first two points deal with domestic issues, and the US can't do much to assure them in other countries without violating the 3rd principle.

I don't think much of the world is terribly keen on anyone acting as "policeman", especially where internal issues are concerned. The perception, warranted or not, is always that the "policemen" are acting primarily to advance their own interests.