I think you've answered your own question. It's not new. Support for wars is always built by appealing to ideals, patriotism and public passions. But the reasons wars are actually waged usually turn out to be cynical, taudry, even evil. War is certainly not 'good.' The deaths of thousands can only be an evil thing.

I also think it is naive to react with surprise to American hegemony. China and Russia are clearly aware of it. Thus the renewed Sino-Russian alliance. Nor are they alone. Other nations are perturbed that the US reigns unchallenged on the world stage.

America is going to make the most of its power while it has it. America's elite will occasionally abuse that power. People will get hurt. Never fails to happen, no matter who's running the show. Right now, the US is in charge and can pretty much do as it pleases.

No venom. At least, not from me.

I am agreeing with you in certain respects. I am certainly very cynical about wars. They are never waged for the reasons the public is told they are waged. They never fail to inflict a greater misery upon the world than anyone anticipated.