Mike,
I stand by my "vigilante" statement. You cite Iraq. Here was a case of rounding up support by lying to the people as well. When the Iraq war started it was reported that 80% of Americans supported the action. As the truth was revealed and the body bags started to come home the percentage changed. (Now they are ringing the bells. Soon they'll be wringing their hands--Sir Robt Walpole.) I have had close contact with war and that quotation was one I used the first day of conflict. The British people were so opposed to the Iraq War that the Prime Minister was ousted. Here in Oz the people opposing the war were in the majority. The "Coalition of the Willing " was not as willing as you imply..
However I also included in my examples of lawless action, Chile, Argentina and Cuba. Have you an argument in support of your viewpoint here?
In the Vietnam conflict the US dropped thousands of bombs on Laos and Cambodia who were not in the war and the terrible legacy of cluster bombs remains. The indiscriminate use of "agent orange" also still leaves a ghastly stain. American veterans receive compensation for being subjected to chemical warfare but the US denies agent orange had adverse effects on Vietnamese people. Was bombing neutral countries and in no way helping to clean up the mess justified? I have seen footage of Loatians trying to dispose of these terror weapons with the most primitive "equipment". Wouldn't the US gain more world respect if at the very least it gave these heroes some decent means of disposing of this lurking death? There are two ex Viet War Aussie soldiers who work alongside the Laotians. Think how it would be received if the US sent in something similar.
I totally agree with you that Obama has indicated a willingness to negotiate with the Muslim world. In that there is hope.
Jerry