Anthony, Thanks for your reasoned reply.

Noriega was supposed to be a CIA asset, but was removed when he set out on his own. He was supported initially.

Bosnia & Kosovo - I said nothing about the US taking the intiative. The soldiers of all nations were constrained by useless politicians in their own governments and the UN. I think you'll find that the actual numbers of US servicemen on the ground was vastly smaller than the European contingent - as it should have been

Iraq - Sounds like the general in Vietnam who said something like "In order to free the village, we had to destroy it" I'm not saying it was better before, but the "liberation" was not all sweetness and light

Afghanistan - True the Taliban regime was abhorrent to our eyes, but they did virtually stop poppy growing there. A bit like the Mussolini making the railways run on time

Finally, you seem to think that the world is begging the US to come and sort things out for them. You should be aware that 90% of the world disagree. If the US was trying to make the world a better place, it would be doing much more in Africa where thousands are dying every day, and much less in the Middle East where the oil comes from.

Call me cynical, but that's the view from outside the US. You will not like it, and will feel that it is wrong. But the US will have to live with the legacy that their policies are creating. I would love to look back in 20 years time (with the benefit of hindsight) and see how this period is viewed. Probably like the Cuban missile crisis and Vietnam.