No matter what some may claim, the USA isn't engaged in empire building . The president isn't a " Caesar " . The Roman Republic, wasn't " respected " and there wasn't a Pax Romana " until that republic folded.
The old USSR was feared and only respected by idiots. The fear of mutual destruction kept us from stepping in and stopping them from many of the horrors, that they perpitrated. Respect had nothing to do with that. Respect didn't keep the British Empire going either. Fanatical Muslims are mired in Middle Ages think . Even a " Cold War " mindset, is far too " modern " / European for them.