The United States government (distinct from the population) supports Democracy and Freedom when those values align with our strategic interest. When they do not

The United States government (distinct from the population) supports Democracy and Freedom when those values align with our strategic interest. When they do not, we stop supporting them. Everyone outside the US has known this for decades. It's only considered a controversial statement within the US. [Edit] It should be noted that other states engage in the same amoral, strategic behavior. The reason the United States receives the lion share of the criticism is because as the leading Power (especially military power), it's actions on the world stage are far more consequential than any other.