I WISH we were expanding imperially abroad; at least we'd get SOMETHING for all the soldiers we've lost. Unfortunately, we just try to build a viable nation then go home when it seems too hard.
For example, I think we don't need Arabs to cash the oil checks - we can pump the oil and cash the checks ourselves. And the Arabs (or the survivors) can go hide in the desert and hope we don't get P.O.'d at them again.
Likewise, we should be firm (if not outright savage) and self-centered in our dealings with all other countries.
The American government needs to be pro-American at home and abroad. Firing (or imprisoning) the entire State Department would probably be a good start...
--Unfortunately, we just try to build a viable nation then go home when it seems too hard. --
And that's why nation building is a fool's errand.