He said that would be the case when he was running for his campaign and that was on the Republican Party platform as well. So I don't think any of the moves here should be terribly surprising. It doesn't mean that they aren't alarming. And the US should go about using its own diplomatic and military force to look after its strategic interest. Now what determines strategic interest is something that shifts.
Various politicians use the phrase all the time.
I think one of the things that we've learnt especially in the post world war scenario, is that it is very difficult to separate out political policy and economic policy. And that military underpinning is always playing a role in this. However this lack of engagement in international affairs is not permanent it will change - when US interests are threatened. Despite the fact that the US seems to turning its back on Asia and the rest of the world - I think the Middle East and Latin America is yelling about the same thing as well. I think if things get really bad and US investments are threatened, then you'll see some action taking place.