That's the title of a new piece by Michael Totten over at Tech Central Station
I think Mr. Totten's analysis is essentially correct. One of the side effects of this war has been the creation of a deep cynicism across much of Middle America about Europe, NATO, the UN, and the whole notion of "allies" in general.
Most folks in America used to ignore these entities most of the time. I don't mean that they knew of them but consciously disagreed with them or ignored them. I mean Americans were unconscious of them in their daily lives. When folks did think about them, there were vague feelings of general goodness and admiration.
Not anymore. Now people have had news and discussion of these groups shoved in their face for the last couple of years. Now folks have had reason to look closer and firm up their previous fuzzy feelings. And what have they seen to give them a better picture of what our relationships with Europe, the UN, and NATO have been, and what good they've brought America?
Right. We all know what's been in the news about these groups the last few years, no reason to trot it all out again.
In my opinion, Middle America has drawn conclusions rather like Mr. Totten's. They're still a but fuzzy. But they're firming up. This is just based on talking to people around the watercooler, etc.
I'm not saying I think that's objectively a good thing. I'm ambivalent about that question at the moment. But I think it's happening, and it's inevitable.
My prediction: America will not put real faith in alliances or transnational organizations for a long time. They have proven faithless, and we all watched. Average Americans have drawn their own conclusions. I also think foreign aid and UN funding is going to come in for a lot more opposition. World leaders, make your plans accordingly.
Hat tip: Robert Prather has cogent comments in his post at Insults Unpunished, so read that too.
UPDATE:
The comments on this column at Michael Totten's website are not to be missed. Go Now and read them.