Yesterday's problem: Nazis, fascist Italy, Bushido Japan.

Solution: the Lendlease supplied USSR.

Next of yesterday's problems: Communist USSR and cold war.

Solution: Mujahedeen in Afghanistan, leading to the dissolution of the USSR

Next of yesterday's problems: Islamist terrorism, 9/11, ISIS.

Solution: Forever, unwinnable war on terror.

Next of yesterday's problems: How to get out of forever war on terror.

Solution: Shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of failed nation-building.

Next problem: Advertised weakness convinces Russia and China into alliance "without limits" and Russia it can repeat Crimea 2014 in all of Ukraine.

Solution: Unified western response in supporting Ukraine's disruptive javelin-style thousand bee stings warfare against incompetent Russian army.

Next problem: Dissolution of Russian Empire redrawing map of Eurasia.

Geopolitics is a game of pick your poison and be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it.