I disagree with most of your points insofar that there always seems another option to gain similar or even more benefits. Military and military industry for ec

I disagree with most of your points insofar that there always seems another option to gain similar or even more benefits. Military and military industry for economic benefits. Just pay them to build highways, bridges or whatever, they will still spend the wages on food, houses and cars. And you can keep the highways and bridges. Attacking the USA? Geographically almost impossible, no need to intimidate someone. Veteran army, well maybe, but given all the technological and financial superiority of the US forces compared to their past war opponents the track record doesn't really reflect that as far as I can tell. Pax Americana, I think is a thing of the past. It may be a bit to early to conclude that humanity left it aggressive youth behind but I think it is pretty unlikely that we will see something like a third world war or even larger international wars, it just isn't worth it. And finally you can also spend the same amount of money for research without military technology advances as driving force.