‘These days they can bully the US, showing off to the world what pansies we are, and not a damned thing happens.’
Exactly.
US prestige keeps everyone safe — our civilians, our military, and also our allies.
Back in the 50s, MacArthur intimidated a victorious North Korea with a tiny force. They feared fighting us. Otherwise, South Korea would have been conquered in short order.
And then?
Ike ended the Korean War through passing word that he’s considering use of the atom bomb.
In Lebanon, Ike simply sent some men to Lebanon to keep the peace there. It worked. A small force. Prosperity and tranquility in Lebanon lasted for decades.
That was the value of prestige.
“Back in the 50s, MacArthur intimidated a victorious North Korea with a tiny force. They feared fighting us”
You have to be joking. Look up Pusan perimeter and tell me how a tiny force used intimidation and how they feared us.
It was nothing short of Raw firepower, a massive air attack, and a veteran Marine Division that stopped them.