Originally Posted by Skippy

Americans have historically been isolationists. We do what we want on our side of the pond, others do what they want on theirs. Public opinion is generally intolerant of foreign entanglements that don't directly relate to our own interests. However, when the people believe that a situation IS directly attached to the security of the continental United States, support for action has generally been very high.

Tinpot dictators who believe the American public doesn't really care what they do in their own dictatorships are for the most part right. When they cross the line into presenting a credible threat to the United States, things change.