As America examines the lessons of its twenty-first-century wars, it is important to remember that no other major power has brought to its strategic efforts such deeply felt aspirations for human betterment. There is a special character to a nation that proclaims as war aims not only to punish its enemies but to improve the lives of their people—that has sought victory not in domination but in sharing the fruits of liberty.
Every other world order thus far introduced-- Communism, Islam, even Monarchy-- all share this same perspective of themselves and their goals. Even Kissinger falls to an idealistic motivation in the end.
