as i've begun to suspect this to be so an author comes to the same conclusion;

Trump’s grasp of reality seems increasingly tenuous as egomania devolves to megalomania.

Eighty years ago, when World War II ended, U.S. rulers’ belief in war and empire was understandable. The U.S. had won the war at relatively low cost compared to the carnage and devastation in Europe and Asia. It had the atomic bomb and the only intact industrial plant. Millions of men were returning from the war raring to produce and procreate. The U.S. was the undisputed master of the world, and the U.S. empire was at its peak.

World War II may turn out to be the apotheosis of war. It certainly has been for the U.S., which hasn’t won a war of any consequence since. Empire has been a curse rather than a blessing, except for those who profit from it, win or lose. Widespread acquisition of nuclear weapons has meant that another world war could mean the end of humanity.

Under the shadow of that threat, war has evolved such that in nonnuclear conflicts, increasing amounts of blood and treasure are expended for either minimal gains or outright losses. Fueled by relentless technological development that both lowers the relative cost and increases the effectiveness of resistance, irregular, asymmetric warfare has stymied the designs of those who would acquire territory, resources, and political control via the traditional means of invasion, offensive war, and occupation...........more.........