Superhuman Superpower

InstantReplay has had problems with the unilateralist Perle (et al) Doctrine, which says that the U.S. needs no permanent allies to secure its interests.

Here's another reason why they're wrong: hyperpowers are assumed to have superhuman powers. We shocked and awed the world in Afghanistan with our muscle - winning where the Greek, British, Russian and Soviet Empires had all failed at the height of their power. Now we've taken over the most populous country between Iran and Egypt all without losing a skirmish. Iraq of course, has been conquered by everyone and his mother, but still, we did it so easily, and against the will of 3/4 of the world. They just couldn't stop us. How scary is that? We can take over a country somewhere, and the rest of the world can't stop us even if they want to!

Do we wonder why people the world over have unrealistic expectations of our ability? One Baghdad resident puts it well, in the Washington Post: "America could solve all the problems, serve all the people in days. It knows what the country needs." The fact is we can't, at least not quickly. But if we can destroy so easily, why can't we rebuild?

If you'll pardon the pun, let's throw Perle to the swine...