Originally posted by Surtur
There is a difference between that and us being the #1 respected country.
We've always been number 1 respected- due to our power, which unlike what some people here would believe does not yo-yo depending on who's in charge- there's really no question we're going to stay in number one. People kinda have to take us seriously.
Now, stuff like our honesty, how well they're likely to join in with us, and stuff, that varies.
Originally posted by Bardock42
I suppose it depends on what we consider respect. The way I used it I meant it as approval of actions, rather as judgement of military capabilities.
For all the complaints we get, we're surprisingly admired too.
Though respect in the 'approval of actions' sense, yea, it plummeted under GWB, and recovered under Obama. Though I don't think it's as high as it was during the Clinton or Bush 1 years even so.
But speaking of the military:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/doctors-without-borders-clinic-kunduz-hit-aerial-attack-n438001
America f*ck yeah, coming to you to save the motherf*cking day.
But hey to quote Jeb Bush: stuff happens.
The military is never happy, always looking for a war is the Pentagon. The problem we have now as seen in Syria and Iraq is that bombing only creates refugees. And a ground war gets our troops killed and refugees. Unless Europe wants to open their arms to people seeking asylum, Europe will have to commit troops to Syria and Iraq; Russia and China has already stated hands off in the area. So this will be a proxy war with the heavyweights supplying the arms and strategy but otherwise staying out of it.