My problem with his essay is that he talked about a cycle between isolationism and global liberal democratic power. I believe all countries are selfish all the time. The cycle is theater, not reality. I agree with this:

"Republican anti-interventionism of those interwar years — “isolationism” as critics called it — was less a carefully considered strategic doctrine than an extension of their battles against domestic opponents. "

As I wrote in my other piece, I believe the Republicans would happily support Ukraine if the Democrats allowed them an ounce of credit. Didn't happen then, won't happen now.

The U.S. will continue to "support" Ukraine for as long as its politically and economically useful to do so. I had hoped there were some principles driving the thing but I was naive.

I always believed Israel was a liberal democracy. That too, was part of my wishful thinking.

The reason Trump does well is that he's the only politician who speaks directly to people and his flaws don't hurt him because so many relate to him. I imagine listening to Hitler was the same way.

Anyway, maybe 1 out of 1,000 people would converse with you on this issues, as you laid it out. Universalists are another name for a miniscule global population that thinks for itself. Oh, and by the way, it's 1 out of 10,000 in the U.S. ;)