@
degraded The US empire like others before holds together in part based on perception and belief of the people that they are the ones in charge in all scenarios and the indispensable nation that the world needs to look out for their best interest. That is the narrative going at least as far back as Rome.
When a rival is in a position to tell them not only to kick rocks but your presence is not required here, the narrative starts to ring hollow. So for the domestic audience you get theatre regardless of the reality on the ground to keep the myth going.
