I never knew that the US is engaged in the spread of democracy until I read this in US newspapers--I swear

But American engagement abroad has never been purely about securing access to energy. The United States has benefited as much as any other country from the free exchange of goods, the safety of global sea lanes, the spread of democracy and the great-power stability that have characterized the entire post-World War II era. None of this could exist without the steadying hand of American power." (thanks Abdallah)