America collects allies like Americans collect Facebook friends. As a result, Washington defends more than a score of prosperous European states, several leading Asian nations and a gaggle of Middle Eastern regimes.
Yet most of the countries on the Pentagon dole appear to be perpetually unhappy, constantly demanding reassurance of Washington's love. Their sense of entitlement exceeds that of the typical trust fund baby.
As a result, the United States is expected to protect virtually every prosperous, populous, industrialized nation. But that's just a start. Washington also must coddle, pamper, praise, uplift, pacify, encourage and otherwise placate the same countries.