"War is just a racket... I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else"

Smedley Butler, a highly embellished Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, made this statement during the interwar period, showing his evolving crucial perspective on American military engagements. The quote succinctly encapsulates his belief that war frequently functions as a tool for revenue instead of a means of genuine national defense. Butler's use of the word "racket" indicates that war is a fraudulent plan, benefiting a choose couple of at the expense of the many-- primarily serving the interests of big corporations and financial institutions rather than the broader populace.

In saying, "I believe in adequate defense at the shoreline and absolutely nothing else," Butler advocates for a form of military isolationism or non-interventionism, recommending that the military needs to focus exclusively on defending the homeland instead of engaging in overseas interventions. His declaration can be seen as a require a more restrained and protective military posture, contrasting dramatically with the expansionist and interventionist policies that identified U.S. foreign policy throughout much of the 20th century.

Butler's review is rooted in his direct experiences, having taken part in military actions that, in hindsight, he deemed imperialistic and economically encouraged. His transformation into an outspoken critic of such policies highlights the internal disputes dealt with by military leaders when their individual and expert insights clash with national policy directions.

By stressing "adequate defense at the coastline," Butler underscores the concept of practical defense-- focusing on the defense of a country's instant geographical boundaries. It reflects an uncertainty of projecting military power abroad and a preference for focusing resources on avoiding direct risks. This could be translated as a response to the widespread militarism and the increasing costs in human lives and resources driven by warfare's business profiteering.

In essence, Butler's quote challenges us to reconsider the motives behind military engagements and supporters for a defense policy that focuses on national security over financial or political gains originated from foreign disputes.