I see that close reading is hard for you because you know how you want every story to turn out.
I want to be left alone, but I want my country, which I believe to have the best system on the planet (flawed but still the best) and the country that has the most to offer people, to lead the world and to help keep threats to me and mine away from me.
I'm not dominating anybody, I'm not doing any of it. But, I support my country doing it since the world (which I have traveled widely) would be benefit from our way of doing stuff. I believe in America and our way and our government and our system flawed though it is. It is the best the planet has to offer.
For the countries that want to live in peace with us and be partners, awesome, room for everybody, welcome, lets work together. For other countries that want to be left alone, cool, you stay in your place all good. and for our adversaries who would want to take what we have, go get'em.
The problem is that the world is full of flawed people... so, someone will have to run the show. I'd prefer that to be us.
This isn't neocon or any other offshoot. This is mainstream, regular American. This is what most Americans believe and want.