Back in the day, some folks who called themselves neocons started as Marxists. They ditched that path after seeing the dark side of communism and the unintended consequences of liberal policies. They wanted to save America from moral decay while keeping church and state separate. These early neocons played a big role in checking out-of-control counterculture trends.

But where neocons really made a mark was in foreign policy. Many began as Democrats who supported the Vietnam War. When their party didn't back them, they shifted to the Republican side. Key figures like Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle believed in using military power to spread democracy. They thought history would eventually lead to everybody adopting American-style democracy.

The neocons' big moment came after the Soviet Union collapsed. The U. S. was the sole superpower, and they saw a chance to push their agenda. They wanted to use America's military might to shape the world. This stance was clear in the 1992 Defense Department's Wolfowitz doctrine. It favored quick, preemptive military action over careful diplomacy.

Over time, neocon thinking dominated both major parties' foreign policy. Democrats and Republicans alike saw foreign policy as a fight between good and evil. Both were ready to use military force instead of diplomacy. This got us into endless wars that didn’t go as planned.

The 9/11 attacks gave neocons the push they needed to act on their long-held ideas. They saw it as a reason to invade countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. But these wars cost trillions and thousands of lives, achieving little. Both countries are now heavily influenced by other powers.

Neocons also had a harsh view of Russia. Even after the Soviet Union fell, they saw Russia as a threat. This attitude led to NATO expanding closer to Russia, which didn’t sit well. Now, we're facing conflict with a nuclear power over Ukraine.

It's time to rethink our priorities. China, not Russia, is our main rival. We can't keep being the world's policeman and can’t afford endless wars. A multipolar world needs smart diplomacy and good allies, not just military action.

For too long, neocon voices have pushed us into costly wars. It's time for a change. A new administration should leave neocon thinking in the past.

Neocons: Born from Disillusion and Failed Policies

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