[Paul R.]

I am actually stunned at, in this and many other discussions on FR, how many FReepers seem to take an Obama-like position that we should somehow be "fair" to our opponents, or treat them in some sort of even-handed way. To paraphrase one example:

"Well, we have threats placed all around Russia (or pick your opponent of choice), so we can't complain if they want to improve their position in the Western Hemisphere."

Screw that!!!

The whole point of being a way-in-front superpower, and spending 5% of the GDP of the most wealthy nation on Earth (us) on our military, is to put and KEEP potential opponents in a "full Nelson". We do NOT ever want a "fair fight", with anybody. Yes, make it attractive to be our friend and do things mostly our way, and accord real friends respect if they deserve it. And, pick our battles wisely and don't stir up hornets' nests unnecessarily (Syria & the "Arab Spring" comes to mind). Many times power other than military can be applied.

But... Much of the world is a good deal uglier than a Chicago gangland. THAT is reality.

So, to our opponents: If you cause us and / or our allies too much trouble, if it comes to armed conflict, you have "no chance", and your only hope is how much we will burn the toast.

[ScottinVA]

So, to our opponents: If you cause us and / or our allies too much trouble, if it comes to armed conflict, you have "no chance"

I don't think anyone here is disagreeing with the position that if a foe attacks us, we should respond by orders of magnitude, but some are advocating a unilateral military intervention to throw out Maduro, and that is a no-go. Venezuelans, who wanted socialism in the first place, are not worth a single American life lost.

[wastedyears]

The whole point of being a way-in-front superpower, and spending 5% of the GDP of the most wealthy nation on Earth (us) on our military, is to put and KEEP potential opponents in a "full Nelson".

So we should be the world police?