Actually, there has been very little change in the overall direction of US policy and practices for many years, probably going back at least to T. Roosevelt and Wilson. In the early part of the 20th century the US ruling class was just dipping its toe in the pool of imperialism. Later, at the time of the Atlantic Charter (1941-1942) it took over the British Empire (they had no choice) and became a full-blown major imperial power. It has been following that path (mostly) ever since. What Mr. Putin calls the "bureaucracy" has proved impervious to domestic political currents ever since. I guess "bureaucracy" is correct in the old Soviet sense: an implacable ruling class capable of any act of violence or fraud. We've got a system here!
Actually, there has been very little change in the overall direction of US policy and practices for many years, probably going back at least to T. Roosevelt and Wilson. In the early part of the 20th century the US ruling class was just dipping its toe in the pool of imperialism. Later, at the time of the Atlantic Charter (1941-1942) it took over the British Empire (they had no choice) and became a full-blown major imperial power. It has been following that path (mostly) ever since. What Mr. Putin calls the "bureaucracy" has proved impervious to domestic political currents ever since. I guess "bureaucracy" is correct in the old Soviet sense: an implacable ruling class capable of any act of violence or fraud. We've got a system here!