The U.S. as a group did not profit from war. A few parasites did. To truly progress as a society, you eliminate the parasites.

Sorry to be annoying about it. When people start spreading the rumor that Weyland-Yutani is right, that centralized aggressive power actually works, my fallacy radar goes off like bonkers. Because parasites will destroy you eventually if you don't get rid of them, you won't get to rule the galaxy.