>I am a huge supporter of the U.S. Navy's freedom of navigation duties. It's expensive, and it's worth it. But carpet bombing Baghdad does nothing for our trade

>I am a huge supporter of the U.S. Navy's freedom of navigation duties. It's expensive, and it's worth it. But carpet bombing Baghdad does nothing for our trade routes. Every reasonable person thinks Iraq was a mistake in hindsight. Of course it was. But that does not negate the other 85% of all US defense spending which has been a shield against tyranny for the vast majority of humanity. Our support of NATO is the only reason eastern Europe is still independent. Our defense of South Korea is the only reason Seoul still exists. Yes there have been mistakes made with having this level of intervention in the world. But to give in to this kind of whataboutism rhetoric that sees the US as an evil empire, in a world full of Russias and Chinas, is just insanity.