This excerpt from Niall Ferguson's "Colossus" highlights the arguments for justifying U.S. military occupations by emphasizing the benefits that can arise in the short term. The text suggests that, despite the challenges of occupation, there can be positive outcomes that align with U.S. interests, specifically in terms of political and economic development.

Ferguson provides examples of Western Germany and Japan, which transformed from problematic regimes into successful models of capitalism and democracy within a remarkably short period. This transformation illustrates that foreign occupation can lead to beneficial changes, supporting the notion that such interventions might be seen as strategic moves working towards broader U.S. goals.