[oconnor0]

One of my big concerns about the US military getting involved in "removing" some crazed warlord from power is that our track record of doing that around the world indicates we do a piss-poor job of finding better replacements.

[run4yourlives]

Vacuums. Vacuums aren't filled by the populace, they are filled by the strongest of potential successors.

Often, one that the original manic was keeping at bay.

[oconnor0]

Not just vacuums, but the US intentionally propping up the original crazy's replacement.

[Zakharov]

That actually leads to an interesting question. What happens if you just keep killing the bad guys? If you kill a dictator, then his evil successor, then his evil successor, does the next potential evil successor realize it's a bad idea and leave a decent guy in charge? Or do you just end up with chaos? Obviously assisination isn't this easy - but if it were?

[GFKjunior]

I think history has proven that there will always be a underling ready to take his chance at the top. We need to look no further than at something like the drug war in Mexico or even to the US to a smaller extent. A young, brutal cartel member rises to the top with his crew and lasts as leader for a few months or years until he is murdered by the next young, smart, hungry up and comer. It is a never ending cycle, even in Mexico where people are getting murdered everyday someone always thinks they can make it big and stay there.

But I imagine it has a lot to do with it being only alternative for these people. Just imagine you are born in an extremely poor area with no hopes of accomplishing anything. Better to take you chances as a rebel leader/cartel member because as short lived as it is, it's better than living and dying hungry in your small rural village.

[stfu]

This leads always to the question - "bad guy" by what standards?

Something that most Western countries might judge as "bad" can be totally fine with the local natives. For example most Western European countries would probably agree on that death sentences are wrong, still death penalties have the support of over 60% of the US population. So deciding who is good and bad in tribal conflicts is becoming incredibly difficult, especially taking into consideration all the distortions of media and politics.

[X4]

Hi Zakharov,

you're talking about Game Theory. A very interesting question indeed.