The question is does USA see Russia, China, Iran as its peers and want to be in their league or not.
It is okay to be a despotic regime as long as you also face the risks that come along with it. USA does not face such risks and hence it can not be okay to compare it with say Russia.
I am reminded of the following (obviously fictional) story where Ronald Regan and Gorbachev wondered who had the most loyal soldiers. Ronald Regan asked one of his bodyguard to shoot himself to show his loyalty. The bodyguard laughed and asked Regan to fuck off. Gorbachev asked the same of his bodyguard who promptly shot himself to death. Regan was very surprised and asked Gorbachev as to how come his bodyguard was so loyal. Gorbachev said, he was protecting his family by killing himself.
I do not think China, Russia or Saudi Barbaria are worthwhile bechmarks for USA. Those countries have achieved little and will continue to achieve little.
It is okay to be a despotic regime as long as you also face the risks that come along with it. USA does not face such risks and hence it can not be okay to compare it with say Russia.
I am reminded of the following (obviously fictional) story where Ronald Regan and Gorbachev wondered who had the most loyal soldiers. Ronald Regan asked one of his bodyguard to shoot himself to show his loyalty. The bodyguard laughed and asked Regan to fuck off. Gorbachev asked the same of his bodyguard who promptly shot himself to death. Regan was very surprised and asked Gorbachev as to how come his bodyguard was so loyal. Gorbachev said, he was protecting his family by killing himself.
I do not think China, Russia or Saudi Barbaria are worthwhile bechmarks for USA. Those countries have achieved little and will continue to achieve little.