I haven't read this book but the issue seems a little simpler, and more selfish, to me. America is simply trying to use their military to make the world same for americans at the expense of the rest of the planet. Aside from the fact that the military isn't capable of accomplishing that mission (and is likely to make things worse), they are simply the wrong tool for the job.

It's not the military's fault, they are just a big, dumb club; intended to be swung at full force at an organized enemy. The civilian leadership of both parties continues to use them to treat symptoms whenever they are unable or unwilling to address the actual issues. It's not that they are using a sledge hammer to kill a gnat; it's worse, it's that they're trying to use a sledge hammer to tighten up a loose bolt.

As the only "superpower" left, america has become the big dumb kid from junior high school... with his dad's gun. They still have time to grow up, hopefully.