In the past when a country became as powerful as the United States, other countries would band together to clip its wings. But that isn't happening now and I don't think it's not going to happen, because other countries are not threatened by us, and they secretly appreciate the services that we provide, even if they don't usually say so.
Michael MandelbaumAmerican influence in the world is certainly considerable, but the United States does not control, directly or indirectly, the politics and economics of other societies, as empires have always done, save for a few special cases that turn out to be the exceptions that prove the rule.
Michael MandelbaumAmerican foreign policy, for all its shortcomings, has underpinned political stability around the world.
Michael MandelbaumThe United States doesn't do what it does in the world for altruistic reasons. Nobody set out to be the world's government.
Michael Mandelbaum