[jryle80]

What Syria, Iraq and Libya all have in common -- dictators with brutal policies that naturally create a lot of domestic enemies. Did US try to influence those countries? definitely yes. Playing dirty? of course. But that's world politic for you.

Single out the US isn't helpful for the discussion. Do you think Russia, China, EU have all just stayed away from all of the conflicts? How about Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, even Turkey?

Ask South East Asia countries what they think of China; or ex-USSR states of Russia; or Sri Lanka of India.

North Korea has the support of China and holds South Korea ransom. They don't need nuclear weapon for self defense.