Re: The abandonment factor
The establishment of Israel in the Middle East is more Europe's doing than ours. However, we seem to have a deeper sense of commitment to that decision than Europe.
The hasty retreat from the colonies also seems to be a big part of the problem. I am not an expert on world politics in the fifties but I recall that Britain gradually granted India independence while still allowing commonwealth status and India remains a democracy and relatively stable.
Perhaps Europe tired of discussion too soon when they packed up and went home with no regard for the mess they left behind.