Kipling wrote against the backdrop of the experience of the British Empire, around the globe. He knew whereof he spoke, but as they used to say, "circumstances alter cases."
Our purpose, and therefore the application of our strengths, are different from those of the mercantile imperialists. Our goals are to free the people and leave, not to stay and run things. It makes all the difference.
I think Zarqawi helped reinforce the points made the last time he spoke when he tried to keep the Iraqis from voting---he was telling them how much he hates democracy and so should they--
He was making the point--that freedom and democracy is whats feard, not American imperialism. He didn't rant and rave about too many McDonalds or even Halliburton--it was freedom, the one thing that America wants to give to Iraqis and has even sent the best to deliver---woe to them if they don't accept and fight to keep it!
Interesting to see the reactions from all of the pro iraqi war types.
Take Imperialism out of the equation and read the poem again.
Read it from the viewpoint of the grunt and his interactions with a foreign citizenry whose opinion of his being there ranges from lukewarm to flat homicidal.