I guess you don't remember 1983
When they attacked us for having troops in their lands under Reagan, Reagan decided to pull those troops out. He didn't go on 'nation building' orgy to enforce our 'right' to use our soldiers to protect foreign kings.
Right, he didn't continue expose our troops to attack for no good goddamned reason, and bombed Gaddafi's house instead.
They got the message, as did that commie scumbag Castro after Grenada.