Here's a cheerful piece, on the implications of US power being increasingly military since 2001, and even since the end of the Cold War:

"Looking at the overall use of U.S. armed force abroad, it’s clear that the U.S. has escalated over time as compared to both small and great powers.

In our database, we note every hostile incident. We rate each country’s response on a scale from 1 to 5, from the lowest level of no militarized action (1), to threat to use force, display of force, use of force and, finally, war (5). In some cases, states respond; in others, they don’t.

Over time, the U.S. has taken to responding more and more at level 4, the use of armed force. Since 2000 alone, the U.S. has engaged in 92 interventions at level 4 or 5."

The militarization of US foreign policy has been going on for a long time.  You may remember the famous (but slightly off) quip that Bob Gates used to give, that there were more US military band members than US Foreign Service officers.  He was wrong--there are about 6,500 military musicians and about 8,100 diplomats--but the larger point is right: in what world do we need almost as many people practicing John Philip Sousa marches as we do helping the US manage its diplomacy at home and abroad?  That is just insane.

Because of this, America's reputation as a bully has exploded over the past decade.  Which, of course, makes diplomatic work harder, and military action more tempting.  And so the spiral continues.