Oh, you're talking about the American government. America has nothing to do with its government; they're two separate entities, with separate (and perhaps mutually exclusive) interests ;)
Many people in countries with corrupt governments and crappy politicians state that, but in most cases, a government simply does, what the people allow it to do.
yes, even more sadly, its fear it self that is mostly used for persuasion. So don't be afraid America, we, the rest of the world, can't afford to have half of the world's nukes controlled by fascists and corporate blood suckers, oh, wait..