Given the philosophies under which American foreign policy has been conducted for at least the last century (democracy, freedom, human rights, international cooperation, free trade, etc.) and the image of itself that it seeks to portray abroad (land of the free, home of the brave, truth, justice and the American Way, give us your poor..., etc.), ultimately it is very important how we are viewed by others, especially insofar as we desire effective foreign policies. Everything that is done that contradicts these philosophies and undermines the image damages our foreign policy efforts.

It is not particularly useful to say that others are bad or worse -- they don't tend to advertise these same values.

If we did not wish to be held to these standards there was a very simple path laid out nearly two hundred years ago by John Adams the Younger:

Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.

She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom.

The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force....

She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit....
However, as we have chosen to eschew his wisdom, we are at great peril if we do not pursue our policies of intervening around the world with the greatest of care. Yes, it's a burden, but it was a chosen and selected burden.

If you're going to tell the world you're a Boy Scout then you need to behave like one. If you want to be a bad ass, fine. But don't put on the Boy Scout's uniform and behave like a badass -- you'll be in for world of criticism.

I would have preferred a more Adamsian approach to our foreign policy -- eg, don't invade other countries to rid them of their bad leaders -- but since that's not an option right now, in order to be effective in our foreign policies, we are saddled with having to be a good guy. Everything we do that detracts from the good guy image makes our job tougher and the policies we pursue more difficult to implement.

Regards,
Jill