Much of the world does not share Washington's belief that America is its model. Far from regarding America's attempt to export its ideology as altruistic, they see it as a way of rationalizing U.S. geopolitical preeminence. The ill-considered policy of NATO expansion has heightened Russia's sense of strategic insecurity, and underscored for Moscow the dangers of American power. America's position on Taiwan, and its human rights policies, are regarded by Beijing as unwarranted intrusions in China's domestic affairs. The issue is not whether the United States should act unilaterally, or act cooperatively with others.
All states act in their own interests.
The salient point is how to define America's interests. The United States should stop trying to force its values and institutions on the rest of the world. In some cases, such as Russia, the American model is inappropriate and has done more harm than good. In other cases, notably China, Washington's attempt to compel ideological conformity has made an already tense relationship worse. Finally, the United States should not be so quick to intervene overseas, instead allowing other states and institutions to assume primary responsibility for the security of regions where America's security interests are not at risk.