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Last December, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles summed up the “alpha ” mindset of U.S. foreign policy by declaring that the United States is “the dominant predator across all landscapes.”

Ogles’s choice of an ambiguous word like “landscapes” aligned with the fact that the United States has global reach, far-flung allies, massive influence, and the military might to dominate landscapes in any hemisphere. One word from the president, and a U.S. cruise missile can land on any square foot of any country. A nod of the head, and thousands of superbly equipped soldiers can be shipped and flown across any ocean.

Last December, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles summed up the “alpha ” mindset of U.S. foreign policy by declaring that the United States is “the dominant predator across all landscapes.”

Ogles’s choice of an ambiguous word like “landscapes” aligned with the fact that the United States has global reach, far-flung allies, massive influence, and the military might to dominate landscapes in any hemisphere. One word from the president, and a U.S. cruise missile can land on any square foot of any country. A nod of the head, and thousands of superbly equipped soldiers can be shipped and flown across any ocean.

As the world’s dominant superpower, the United States has a long history of projecting power globally. This has not always delivered the results that various U.S. administrations were looking for, but the ability to muster hundreds of thousands of troops, planes, tanks, and ships anywhere in the world is huge power—particularly when that power is delivered in concert with a loyal network of allies. Because of this truly global influence, the United States can perform operations in any hemisphere without encountering meaningful resistance from regional powers.

Washington hasn’t amassed all that power only for power’s sake.........

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