No, this is not exactly right at all.

What is exactly right is that countries rarely manage to abrogate their self-interest enough to fully live up to their values.

This does not mean that the values are not driving many of their actions, nor does it mean that the values are unworthy; it just means that, as with all human institutions, countries are flawed actors.

That there exists a flaw is no reason to admit all flaws. Some are worse than others, and any of them are targets for improvement.

You would think that a self-announced MENSA member would have the presence of mind to make such an elementary distinction.