War made by the USA - necessary or evil?

Dedicated to blackberry for bringing up war (even if it was a subtle joke)

As many of you know, we are now in multiple wars (none of which are technically declared, and UN approval doesn’t count). I tend to take the non-interventionist approach which is to talk and trade with nations but not become entrenched in their affairs. Sometimes this thought is combatted by saying that we need to interfere when one group is being oppressed by another and while I understand this reasoning and agree with its good-natured intention, I struggle to think that the US intervenes without selfish intentions.

Someone said to me recently, “if we don’t deal with these countries, who will?” (referring to Iran obtaining a nuclear missile). Is it ignorant to think that we have the right to tell other nations what to do? I don’t think Iran should have a nuclear weapon but I understand why they would pursue the construction of one. I believe that this kind of bullying has laid the groundwork for so much hatred in the middle east and around the world. If the United States is indeed fighting terrorism as we so passionately express, shouldn’t there be room for exploring and discussing peaceful solutions?

Are we so blind to think that we’re hated and attacked because we’re free and prosperous and because our cultures are so different? Both of our last elected presidents won the vote partially because they campaigned on a non-interventionist foreign policy and bringing the troops home. So, is it necessary that we stay there? Is it our duty to police the world? If so, why?