I've been a fan of Donald Sensing's for a long time, and this is one of his better essays.

Steven Den Beste has talked at length about the Jacksonian tradition in American foreign policy, a tradition he certainly upholds. There's a second major American international tradition, however - Wilsonian idealism. Often, these traditions are opposed to one another. Occasionally, however, they find common ground when focused on different aspects of the same cause.

If and when they do, all hell breaks loose and America's enemies are toast. Sensing sees that happening now, and explains the historical roots:

"The religious motivations of the American way of war are covered with mantles springing from American secular institutions and values, such a constitutional rights and individual worth. Nonetheless, there are some deep layers of religion in American war making that give it a holy war dimension. These layers are regional in nature.

For the American South, Holy War is most likely to be waged if the offense to the nation is seen as a stain that sullies the national honor. Southern concern with honor was a major contributor toward both Southern secession and the attack on Fort Sumter, precipitating the worst war in our history. Honor can be restored only by confronting the foe with great force. The foe's surrender or destruction restores the national honor.

Honor codes have not played a large role in shaping the North's waging of Holy War. Instead, the Northern codes spring from ideas of the dignity of humankind, and deep notions of sin and judgment. Northerners have always more readily answered the call to colors when the call meant liberation of the oppressed and punishment of the oppressors, a combination that probably springs from the North's Puritan and Calvinistic founding. "

You may like the Americans and their current direction, or you may not. Regardless, this article offers an important understanding of why the USA acts as it does, and the key frame(s) of reference its people are using.

It's time to begin replacing simplisme stereotypes and assumptions with a more informed, nuanced view of the USA's motivations and aims. Donald, thanks for giving that important process a boost with this article.