Lengthy confrontations require a culture that supports them. Chest-beating and wasting lives and treasure is pointless without backing from the culture. Temporary political arrangements without changing the culture is simple waste that weakens.
“... Chest-beating and wasting lives and treasure is pointless without backing from the culture...” [jjoto, post 66]
I’m getting more lost, more confused.
On the one hand, many of deem America to be so good, so moral, so wonderful, s that we merit the “Shining City on a Hill” description, that we inspire imitation around the world.
On the other hand, many of us proclaim that America is too good, too righteous, too moral to lower itself, to risk any sacrifices, by involving itself in the world outside.
It may be as you say: American culture won’t support any long-term commitment. If so, then perhaps all the self-congratulatory verbiage is excuse-mongering after the fact, and we will fail shortly, at the hands of others who have lengthier attention spans. Killed by our virtues, as it were.