Since you point to the terms of the outcome of Gulf War Version 1.00, perhaps you can explain to me exactly how we were defending the US in that war.
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, we dump some serious energy on two of their cities and kicked their ass from island to island. That's the kind of military I would join. Playing cop so some distant country can preserve their sovereignty is not the type of military I would join. I'm all for strategic alliances, but only when the ally could actually pony up some real muscle if we were to be attacked.