Kristol is a “neo-con”
My understanding is that Neo-cons are basically American Progressives/Leftists in their outlook towards the role of government domestically. Internationally, they want to spread their beliefs and America’s progressive ideology globally through the force of American military.
I don’t think Kristol or Boot ever really claimed to be limited government conservatives. They certainly never claimed to have a Christian moral outlook
See “Neo-conned” by Ron Paul. I know he’s not particularly popular here, but his analysis was spot-on. Any wonder the neo-cons hate both Pauls in particular, and libertarians and paleocons in general?