The issue is what is the US's role in the world as a super power. Or, what is the US's role in the world as the last remaining super power.
This all flows from the Wolfowitz Doctrine which was composed by Paul Wolfowitz when he was the Policy Undersecretary to then SoD Cheney under GHW Bush.
In as few words as possible, the Wolfowitz Doctrine says that since the US won the Cold War and was the last remaining super power, then the US should exercise hegemony over the entire world.
The Wolfowitz Doctrine later, with the birth of PNAC in 1998, became the NeoCon Doctrine. And then under GW Bush, some called this the Bush Doctrine.
So, Obama acknowledges that as a superpower or the last remaining super power, the US is going to be pulled into events and issues, and as such, has a role to play, but, he is definately opposed to the Wolfowitz Doctrine and the NeoCon empire builders.
Obama is not alone in that position and many republicans agree with him.
While the conflict may center around what NeoCons such as Cheney, Bolton, or Wolfowitz etc think about Obama's foreign policies, Obama is very comfortable in the fact that he has the support of GOPers such as Kissinger, Scowcroft, Baker, Powell, and Gates,etc.
I love John Bolton. I wish he would run for president.