[randolph]

Although many of us would like to see the US get out of foreign countries and mind our own business, many political scientists don't agree with this.

For example the Harvard Political scientist, Dr. Samuel P. Huntington asserts:
"A world without US primacy will be a world with more violence and disorder and less democracy and economic growth that a world where the United States continues to have more influence than any other country in shaping global affairs. The sustained international primacy of the United Stated is central to the welfare and security of Americans and to the future of freedom, democracy and open economies and international order in the world."

So, in a sense, our actions around the world are somewhat similar to the local strongman. We, with our enormous military power and financial influence help maintain some degree of stability in the world.
With the emergence of radical Islam, our hegemony in the Middle East is threatened. Again political scientists, including Zbigniew Brzezinski believe if we lose influence in the Middle East our influence thruout Eurasia would diminish leaving this critical area open to other aggressive powers such as Iran and China.