Deep Space Nine is the most idealistic Star Trek, even moreso then TNG. Don't get me wrong I love both, but for the characters of TNG utopian idealism is easy. DS9 on the other hand tests its characters ideals. Its about maintaining Utopia in the midst of overwhelming adversity. Its characters question their idealism, sometimes they even compromise it, but in the end they are not found wanting. Its aspirational AF especially for the times we are living in.

Unfortunately it seems like for some of the lesser creators in charge of modern Trek cough Kurtzman cough all they took away from DS9 is darkness and edge. They are cynical and don't really understand or appreciate the importance of idealism in Star Trek. They just saw Sloan as some kind of badass superspy and probably thought Bashir was lame and didn't understand his problem with Section 31. At least it seems like positive Idealism has been re-injected into Trek through SNW. We as a society need it now more then ever.