To ignore the origins if the ISS is to lose track of it's function.
The ISS was a Cold War propaganda triumph for Reagan - that's the reason it was built, that's the reason it was flown. It achieved that mission, especially after Mir came down. And now - - -
that's the reason it's up there with nothing to do - no mission, no purpose, no nothing.
A money sump.
To try to separate the ISS from it's political origins is sheer folly, a ridiculous attempt to be pious, silly. And befitting.
Arf