I think it’s hard to describe any country in foreign affairs “good”. Typically, we expect nations to pursue their best interests. Still, we (the U.S.) we’re probably as close to being the “good” guys as a nation could be during WW2. I’m not really convinced we continued to be afterwards.
But we have been the “law and order” and “free trade” guys. That doesn’t necessarily mean “good”, and I question whether our commitment to free trade was anything other than a way to put pressure on the USSR’s economy. Still, “law and order” can at least guarantee a measure of peace.
But I think with Iraq we burned that reputation away - it’s gone. Now we’re just some bitter friendless policeman with too many guns who’s really just riding out of what’s left of the momentum produced by our past global position.
But we have been the “law and order” and “free trade” guys. That doesn’t necessarily mean “good”, and I question whether our commitment to free trade was anything other than a way to put pressure on the USSR’s economy. Still, “law and order” can at least guarantee a measure of peace.
But I think with Iraq we burned that reputation away - it’s gone. Now we’re just some bitter friendless policeman with too many guns who’s really just riding out of what’s left of the momentum produced by our past global position.