“The first objective advanced by the [February 18, 1992] DPG [Defense Planning Guidance] was to ‘prevent the reemergence of a new rival.’ This required the United States to prevent any hostile power from dominating a region whose resources would be sufficient to generate global power. The authors of the draft argued that ‘beyond deterring attack on the United States,’ the United States should be prepared to use force to ‘preclude threats’ and to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. In addition, the draft advised that the United States should be ‘postured to act independently when collective action cannot be orchestrated.’ ”
– Stefan Halper and Jonathan Clarke, America Alone, Page 145