Every place, religion and people goes thru it's growth phases.

Take the civil wars within the US, the abolishment movement etc.

Every religion - from Christianity ceasing stoning "sinners", buddhism theocratic nature, or the current extremist take on the Muslim religion adopted by some within the sect.

Going to war with the countries there has backfired both for your country, and those involved in numerous ways - Iraqs corruption within its government being an example, or the continued resistance you face in Afghanistan. You're not their liberating the people like you were with France in ww2.

Your own country has enough internal issues you need to face (as does most of the world). I shouldn't need to list them, you're an informed bunch.

Remove the beam from your own eye before seeking the splinter in your neighbors.