Scott Ritter: US Foreign Policy Driven Solely by Self-Interest

DID Press: Former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter warned that the United States does not maintain genuine alliances in international relations and views other countries merely as tools to advance its own strategic goals. He specifically cited Qatar as an example of how perceived disobedience toward Washington can endanger a nation’s very existence.

In his latest commentary on U.S. foreign policy, Ritter described America’s international conduct as “instrumentalist,” asserting that Washington does not see any country as a true ally but rather as a tool for its interests.

“Qatar knows that if it angers the United States, its very survival could be at risk,” Ritter said, stressing that this should serve as a warning to other nations to prioritize their own national interests in dealings with the U.S.

“Engaging with the United States means being used as a tool,” he added. “There is no real guarantee of support or partnership.”

Ritter’s remarks have reignited debate over the credibility gap between U.S. rhetoric and its actual behavior in foreign affairs, laying bare what critics describe as a fundamental disconnect between global trust and Washington’s realpolitik approach to power projection.