You're missing Black's point about the "American leadership of the West," he's not challenging it, he's asking himself where's the point of no return where the US can't account any longer for its hard earned "traditional confidence and solidity." He's still defending the American interest, but notices that for some of his European and British friends, the damage is irreparable.

You may choose to dismiss this idea, but it's about Biden and his handlers, not you or me. Conrad has a too finely discerning eye to just project.