America is a republic, not an empire. The sooner our power recedes from the Middle East, the better for our republic. I think that is a point that Krauthammer and Obama both miss. The Monroe Doctrine, protection of the borders and freedom of our seaborne commerce is close to the limits of what our foreign policy should be.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of Muslims in this country, and we are not isolated from the rest of the world.
This is not the first time I’ve seen you post something like this, so might I remind you that what happens in the ME affects the entire world...including us...in ways large and small. Not to mention that even if we were to withdraw from there, they would not be satisfied and certainly they wouldn’t withdraw their hatred, which is beyond irrational, from the rest of the world. They are out to conquer the whole planet and nothing will stop them.
And, when, exactly, have we acted as an "empire"?
When have we ever occupied or attempted to exploit another country?
When have we undertaken to subjugate another people?
Your perception of the United States of America's foreign policy history is, shall we say, puzzling...
“America is a republic, not an empire. “
The USA now has more military bases overseas than the Roman Empire.
Unfortunately, along the way toward good things, we’ve militarized the world - largely on borrowed money. It can’t go on forever.