Has the U.S. expended its credibility asset?

IS THE U.S. LOSING ITS FAVORABLE REPUTATION WITH THE WORLD?

WE HAVE BEEN LIVING ON OUR PAST REPUTATION FOR DECADES

After the conclusion of WW2 the U.S. gained its favorable reputation and respect from the world, both from its allies and adversaries.  The U.S. population was reluctant to enter WW2 and before that time had kept a distance from engagement in the affairs of other countries. In the aftermath of the War, the U.S.  engaged in a policy of rebuilding the defeated countries and earned the respect of both Germany and Japan. The country, also being the only country that escaped the massive destruction was in a position of economic and military supremacy. It was probably a high point of the United States position in the world. Envied and respected for the fair play and humanitarian efforts to rebuild a world destroyed by the war.

After the war there was the understandable effort to stop and contain the spread of communist ideology around the world and at home. This was evident in our going to war to stop communist expansion in both Korea and Vietnam. I remember personally watching the seminars, while in the service, of the domino theory, that explained our intervention in Vietnam. It was also the last war maintained with a conscripted military. It was clear that the appetite for war among the citizens was declining. 

The 2 competing policies, the Brezhnev doctrine that declared that the USSR would support and defend  communist governments around the world and the U.S. policy of supporting freedom, democracy and capitalist economics were locked into a 40 year competition backed by nuclear weapons.

The U.S. was admired and imitated, as truly being that light upon the hill, most of our policy was based on mutual respect and using our economic success as proof of our righteous position. There were aberrations and instances of overzealousness, but overall we had a good reputation.

With the election of a communist government in Afghanistan the Soviet Union in accordance with the Brezhnev doctrine sent advisors to support the new government in Kabul. The opposition by the Islamic fundamentalists was immediate and the slaughter and display of 20 soviet advisers prompted the Soviet invasion of the country. The Soviets fought from 1979 to 1989. 

In the same time frame the fundamental Islamists of Iran were repelled by the increase in Western social values being brought into the country. Everything from western movies containing sex and violence to the normalization of homosexuality and other values contrary to their religious beliefs. This led to the revolution in Iran, the deposing of the U.S. supported government and the taking of hostages. Both sides in the cold war were being tested by the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism.

I knew some Iranian's who were fearful of returning to their country at that time, they condemned the brutal and repressive government of the Shaw, but also feared the violent and repressive Islamic government. Most never returned to their country.

We of course supported, funded and gave military aid to the fundamentalist groups fighting to expel the Russians from Afghanistan and also funded and supported Iraq under Saddam Hussein along with France, the Soviet Union and the gulf countries to go to war of retribution against Iran. A war that lasted 8  years and resulted in over 1 million casualties. 1980 to 1988. 

It was a transition period from the end of the cold war to the new conflict with Islamic fundamentalism. This threat was recognized by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

The borders and even the creation of some of the countries of the middle east were all determined by the British empire from the end of WW1 until their empire began collapsing in the 1950's and it then seemed to become the new role for the Unite States to maintain that order in the region. 

Iraq's borders were redrawn by the British with much of it oil reserves given to Kuwait. Iraq and Kuwait at one time were 1 country and there was historically a dispute over these borders. Saddam was given the impression by the U.S. ambassador April Glaspie that the U.S. would not be involved in territorial disputes among arab countries. He believed that it was ok to retake the oil fields of Kuwait. Whether this was miscommunication or a plan to trap Saddam is not clear, but the resulting U.S. intervention led to the destruction of the military capability of Iraq and placed U.S. troops permanently in the region and in Saudi Arabia. This war was in 1990-1991.

At the same time the Soviet Union rejected the Brezhnev doctrine, embraced market economics and allowed for the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. It was an end to the cold War with the Soviet Union and a supposed peace dividend was anticipated and rejoiced in by all.

To be continued.