Since President Trump’s successful removal of Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro as head of state, the sachems of foreign policy have worried that the U.S. will again begin a program of nation-building. Their concern is no doubt enforced by recent Presidential promises to make Gaza a flourishing economy.
As with so many ideas in foreign affairs, nation-building once seemed like the thing to do -- the purpose of America abroad. Iraq played a key role in the idea falling from fashion. One reason was that there was little evidence that the U.S. could restore a working pre-war economy.
I recall during a briefing in Baghdad on the course of Operation Iraqi Freedom, after momentarily suspending the meeting when signaled by an aide, the general in charge returned to report that it appeared the purpose of America in Iraq might have just changed. “It seems we are no longer doing nation-building. Instead, we are here to promote democracy.”
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