Jimmy Carter is a favorite whipping boy for the Right. The poor man, after all, was attacked by a killer rabbit while out canoeing... ;-) ...thus cementing his reputation as an official "wimp" for all time.

Anyway, Teribus, I consider all American presidents to have been servants of the grand strategy I allude to...not just the Republican presidents.

I don't think the USA's policy is surprising, as it's motivated by self-interest. I just think it's unacceptable to many in the Third World whom it directly affects, that's all...

Because of that, you will see further struggle and further terrorism. Such things happen when great powers muck around in the affairs of smaller powers (as they always do). I see no reason to sympathize with the activities of the great powers when they do that.