It seems indisputable that since World War II, American engagement with the rest of the world has been hugely costly in American lives and treasure. On balance, is the United States and the rest of the world better off? I would like to say “Yes” but cannot. For a bare-bones sketch of the chronic failure of American interventions and its causes, please see: The failure of American foreign policy since the end of World War II.

A seventy three year record of failure and horrific losses suggests that it is time for a rethink of first principles. Here is the case that the core principle guiding America’s role in the world should be non-interventionism: In defense of non-interventionism .

If you want to learn more about the choices America faces as to its role in the world, I recommend Ian Bremmer’s Superpower.

I get the irony that despite being highly critical of academics with no skin in the game, I am recommending a book by one. My only defense is that he lays out the options in an honest manner, and seems to have an appropriate sense of humility as to the limits of American insight and power.