I think what is going on in general is that we have had a real legitimate problem for years now with neocons like Lindsey Graham and others trying to get the U.S. into any and every war they can find (Ukraine, for example). Most of us, especially in the MAGA movement are rightly opposed to that. Trump campaigned on ending these “forever wars” and we all voted for him partly on that basis.
But somewhere along the way a subset of MAGA has taken that reasonable position and slightly twisted it, hardening it into a dogmatic position that the U.S. should NEVER use force beyond its borders. THAT was never what Trump was talking about, and in fact such a (stupid) policy would be at odds with the corresponding concept of “peace through strength.” Once it becomes clear that American military strength is hollow because its leaders will never be willing to use it, that strength loses its deterrent effect.
So the rational position is to be opposed to frivolous and unwise use of U.S. military force, but to be fully willing to use it when truly necessary. It is impossible to go into a shell and withdraw to within our borders in the 21st Century without abdicating our influence to evil regimes like the CCP. THEY are not self-conscious about projecting power and will happily step into any void we create. That would be bad for us and bad for the world. Whether you wish that to be true or not is irrelevant, because it IS true.
Great post. 100% true.
Good post, well said.