[picafrost]

I find this narrative in some corners of American politics fascinating because of how completely it misunderstands US power.

Hegemony isn't charity. It's expensive. What the US gains is an invitation to exert power all over the world from bases and ports within countries playing a willing role in the US position. It gains the US dollar as the reserve currency and petro-currency of the world. In particular, without the world accepting the US dollar as the reserve currency, the US's ability to maintain a large budget deficit evaporates.

To gain this sort of power without invitation and strong alliances built on shared understanding and trust will cost the US much, much more in the longer term.