Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 5 – "Imposters"Star Trek: Picard has twice now shown a vulnerable Starfleet, which could lead to its potential decline as a trusted galactic power. Starfleet is genuinely held up as an example of humanity's great potential being fulfilled, serving both to defend Federation territory and explore the great unknown of deep space. Starfleet's primary mission is scientific exploration, but it's been called on to defend the Federation on a grand scale several times, particularly during the late 24th century, which ended in Picard season 1.
Starfleet seemed to lose its way a bit in the late-24th century. After enduring serious threats from the Borg and the Dominion, Starfleet was reluctant to save the Romulans from an approaching supernova that would decimate their home planet. When a synth attack on Mars destroyed the Federation rescue armada, Starfleet pulled out of the rescue effort entirely. That led Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) to retire in protest, in disbelief that Starfleet could condemn so many people to death. That began a cycle of deception and paranoia that has marred Starfleet ever since.
