BT - Americans won't back a United States empire - September 18, 2002
"There are two major obstacles in the way of this New American Imperialism."
One "There is very little evidence to support the notion that the American people would be willing to support such an ambitious and costly Pax Americana project... Americans have traditionally been willing to fight wars based on the rules established in the Powell Doctrine, which assume a clear and present danger, the need to defend a national interest and, yes, an exit strategy. They want their wars to be devastating - but short."
Two "What happens when many US troops would have to do the 'policing', fighting and dying in Iraq, Iran and Palestine? That would make it necessary for the Americans at some point to reintroduce the military draft and test the willingness of the American people to serve as the New Imperialists."