[t43562]

More like the solution - Iraq threatened all of the Middle East. So does Iran. America is a security guarantee to countries who don't make a noise about it all.

As can be seen in Africa now, if America doesn't intervene then Russia or China will - there's no nice safe forum to criticise such actions in Russia. Sri Lanka - poor old Tamils got "sorted" with Chinese help.

Then the US oil price will go up no matter how isolationist it tries to be. That will hit people's pockets.

[dspillett]

> More like the solution

… goes on to suggest that the US is getting involved for everyone's good, then…

> Then the US oil price will go up … hit people's pockets.

states one of the few reasons the US political system really cares about these places in the slightest.

[t43562]

All countries do what suits them. Fortunately that's sometimes the same thing.

[smatija]

Tell that to 12 million victims of US in Korea, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[t43562]

I think the South Koreans are extremely grateful not to be part of the North. That's a terrible example for you to pick.

Iraq...well they might not be too happy but I bet their neighbors insisted on Hussein being sorted out.

etc etc.

It isn't noble, it's practical. The US protects countries that supply oil to it. Korea turns out to be an extremely important ally and part of the world economy....etc.

[shiroiushi]

>Iraq...well they might not be too happy

I lot of Iraqis are very happy the US intervened, even though IMO it was a terrible move for many reasons (starting with the BS about WMD). The sunnis that supported Saddam didn't like it of course, but the other groups he oppressed were happy about the US invasion.