Quote Originally Posted by Bob's World View Post
"Strategy of retrenchment"!
"Can't abandon your allies"!
"Isolationist"!
"Appeasement"!

We love to use words like pointy sticks, to poke meaningless holes in the worthy positions of those we disagree with.

One might characterize the opposite of retrenchment as a "strategy of provocation," for example.

One thing is certain, the approaches that managed to carry us through the Cold War are clearly out of step with what is necessary for the world that exists here on the other side. The past 15 years have been an odd mix of working to make old policies work, and experimenting with a wide range of theories and approaches to that end; and experimenting with new policies, but largely supported by the that same hodgepodge of approaches.

We are at a very similar point to the one our founders found themselves at when a few instigators decided to convert a call to update the Articles of Confederation into a comprehensive effort to replace them altogether with the Constitution that still serves us well to this day.

Who and where are the modern equivalents? They seem sadly missing.
Bob,

Agree with your argument, but I don't see retrenchment as a pointy stick word. It is actually a viable option, and as explained above it doesn't mean retreating from the world stage, but it does mean controlling our appetite. Your point about trying to make old policies work is spot on. Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall and we're still trying to put him back together instead of deciding who should sit on the wall next, or if we even need a wall.