Conclusion

And what of the “Global War on Terror?” Many say the U.S. is “losing” even when it “wins” on the battlefield. In part, this reflects the depths of ill-will stemming from the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the perception that Washington’s international stance on most issues has more to do with oil than with the ideals of democratic governance, and the belief of many throughout the Muslim world that the U.S. will always back Israel in any matter involving Palestine.

The U.S. no longer has an “enemy” on which to focus, as it had in the Cold War. Washington, however, fills that role for others – and will continue to do so until the U.S. puts more concerted effort into creating international institutions that are effective at preventing armed conflict than it puts into creating the national institutions of war