The US foreign policy since the early 1990s has prioritized increasing its own power and influence over providing assistance to allies or potential partners. This approach follows a historical pattern established post-World War II, where, despite the alliance with the Soviet Union to defeat Nazi Germany, the US quickly shifted to leverage the situation for its strategic interests. Rather than extending support, the US aimed to expand NATO and structure its relationship with Russia on the basis of dominance and compliance, reflecting a long-standing trend in American policy aimed at shaping international dynamics to its advantage.