our so called allies didn't really have a lot of respect for us before the invasion of iraq. they benefit greatly from our policing of the world so they are able to point a moral finger but not do anything to resolve the situation. they benefit from huge trade deficits we have with their nations. they also benefit from coming under our protection over the last 50 years; while the american taxpayers were financing the cold war with the communists, it seems the europeans have been the greatest benificiaries of the fall of communism.
