For the country that created one of the biggest empires the world has yet seen, it would be surprising if it could ever become isolationist and cease trying to influence world affairs. The world has been moulded greatly by that influence in the past however futile it might have appeared from time to time. I can't help but think that a lot of today's successes in business, exports, finance etc etc are the long term payoff from a lot of past meddling. My life is not on the line so it's hypocritical of me to say what should or should not be done - I'm just commenting on what one can expect of a place with such a history.