Biden warns against ‘semi-isolationism’ and stresses importance of alliances at WWI cemetery in France.
The U.S. Armed Forces fight for values and ideals. Such are the U.S. national security, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. They also fight for universal values and ideals like democracy and liberty, justice and order, the constitution and the rule of law. For the U.S. Armed Forces, the service of the common good is an honorable and heroic duty worth even of the ultimate sacrifice. This service is also the purpose of victory in conflict, combat, battle and war. In the military, victory is reached with strategy and tactics. The military administration of power and the management of force naturally combines passion with reason. The relevant standard is moral, technological and economic.
The commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces is the President. Nevertheless, their function is national, not political. The U.S. Armed Forces do not deal with politics, unless these become material to national security and to the other national values and ideals, they are committed to defend.
Finally, the U.S. fight for themselves and for their allies abroad. It follows from this, that isolationism or other political disposition, is not at play, certainly not regular. The reason for strategic or tactical folding (or unfolding) of the U.S. forces is twofold:
First, to defend the national values and ideals at home, when these are at risk.
Second, to distance from allies when their adherence to similar or common values and ideals is adrift. This is a point of military rather than moral discipline.
The hosting of France and the participation of Joe Biden in the commemoration of the fallen heroes in WWI and WWII, was impeccable display of morality, solidarity, diplomacy and policy. This brief note hopefully helps to further set the record straight.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/09/politics/biden-aisne-marne-cemetery/index.html
