Is the world becoming an escalating "whack a mole" exercise for the U.S.

LOOSING TRUST AND CREDIBILITY HAS CONSEQUENCES

A SERIOUS  REEVALUATION OF FOREIGN POLICY IS NEEDED

It is becoming a daily event that a one time ally or at least friendly country has shown they are no longer willing to be coerced into adopting U.S. policy. This trend has been accelerated since the onset of the U.S/.NATO/Russia conflict in Ukraine. Many countries fear making decisions that will be detrimental to their countries in the future, a future that seems to be becoming more uncertain by the day.

Saudi Arabia, an open ally of the U.S. and the West since WW1, is increasingly not accepting dictates from the U.S. Much has to do with verbal assaults against the leaders and the social structure of this Muslim country. Of course, they are somewhat used to this, it seems it is becoming much more than that. It could be that from their point of view the U.S. and the West is looking to be an unreliable and dangerous ally. It is likely a matter of Trust and Respect, very serious matters in other parts of the world. Is Saudi Arabia soon to become a target of Washington's displeasure by some sort of internal intervention to make an example to others that this attitude is unacceptable.

Then there is South Africa which has openly decided not to enforce U.S. sanctions on Russia. They may be the first to feel the wrath, as they do not have the control of their borders and internal unrest would be easy to kindle.

Of course there is also NATO member Turkey, being situated on the borders of Russia and Ukraine, having control of the entrance to the Black Sea, has been engaged in a delicate balancing act to insure their peace in the future. Having purchased weapons from Russia was a no no some years ago and their hope of neutrality is likely viewed as treasonous in Washington.

Recently tentative ally Pakistan's leader, Imran Khan,  whose speeches often reminded one of the late Anwar Sadat of Egypt, voiced his opinion that there was a thirst in the world for countries to bow out of the "either or political scene", and become neutral and non-aligned in the great power conflicts. He was by no means a Russia supporter, just wanted to spare his country the inevitable spill over from taking sides. He was removed from office in days by an internal vote of no confidence. One could expect the dependence on the western world money may have contributed to his demise.

There is also a growing list of countries in Africa and south of the U.S. border that are increasingly concerned of unrestrained loyalty to the big powers. With financial problems of our own on the horizon will it be possible to buy their loyalty or even force them all by power politics to cooperate.

Lastly there is western Europe which has gone all in on the U.S. view of the future world. While some of the leaders have had reservations, notably France and Germany, an increasing number of the citizens are becoming skeptical of the the direction of their world. Their personal experience is about to get very serious in the very near future. 

All this is becoming untenable for the policy makers and it is very likely they need to make a serious decision soon, Do they need to go all in in their hatred and obsession with the destruction of Russia or is it possible for a reevaluation and change of direction.

So far, any attempt to change direction has been squashed, even when presented by leftist Democrats. The standoff is continuing, but the time for decisive action seems to be on the immediate horizon.