Matthew Yglesias on how the question of how to use American military power still threatens to split the liberal movement:
Many liberals are pacifists or near pacifists who see their aim as fighting for “peace” and discrediting the concept of war. Others are very conventional advocates of American hegemony and military power who just happen to believe in universal health care and legal abortion. The conservative movement has been divided on international topics as well — especially during the late 1990s when there was a brief flowering of thought somewhat resembling old-school interwar “isolationism” on the right — but in general people understand conservatives to be interested in nationalism and militarism, eager to invest in the Pentagon, quick to resort to force, relatively unconcerned with the sensibilities and interests of foreigners. Where the left stands is harder to say, even for liberals themselves.