The end of the Cold War did not bring peace to the world, but it brought some peace of mind and new opportunities that Americans are still absorbing. No longer a Cold Warrior, the U.S. is free for the first time in a half century to play a new role in the world. Like an actor searching scripts for a new persona, the U.S. has tried out many roles in recent international crises. Some of the roles seem to fit better than others, depending on one's point of view, but the post - Cold War experience has not produced widespread support about the general direction U.S. foreign policy should pursue. U.S. economy goes into downward spiral, long-term recession.
New democracies fail.
Dangerous tyrants take power. Put domestic needs first. Stabilize world as global leader. Support new democracies in transition to market capitalism. Only defend U.S. Quit NATO and ask allies to defend themselves.