The New Manifest Destiny
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Like most conservative thinkers, I didn't believe in nation-building, world-policing, or becoming entangled in the affairs of foreign lands in which the United States does not have a direct interest.
Then an organized group of terrorists flew two giant airplanes into the World Trade and the Pentagon, killing 3,000-plus citizens.
As did so many others on September 11, 2001, I realized that vast oceans were no longer enough to protect the homeland.
In retrospect, it is hard to understand why we felt so secure from domestic attack. North America is basically isolated from the world's hotspots geographically. However, in this age of instant cross global communication, and with a black market flooded with bootleg Soviet military technology, the danger of a covert attack from those hostile to us was, and is, very real.
For these, and many other reasons, I have altered my view of the United States on the world stage. Yes, I want America to remain THE world superpower, and the dominant player on the world stage. However, never before had I understood the importance for constant involvement in all foreign affairs.
We must remember, Usama Bin Laden was bounced around from one nation to another, until he was given safe, consistent refuge in Afghanistan...