US: the frugal superpower

In recent years, I have often said to European friends: So, you didn’t like a world of too much US power? See how you like a world of too little US power—because it is coming to a geopolitical theater near you. Yes, US has gone from being the supreme victor of World War II, with guns and butter for all, to one of two superpowers during the Cold War, to the indispensable nation after winning the cold war, to “The Frugal Superpower” of today. Get used to it. That’s our new nickname. US pacifists need not worry any more about “wars of choice”. We’re not doing that again. We can’t afford to invade Grenada today.