"Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the (UN) Security Council. Anything else is unacceptable under the United Nations Charter and would constitute an act of aggression.
It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United STates. Is it in America's long-term interest? I doubt it. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan "you're either with us or against us."
"It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation."
I will say the following, noting that I am against current military intervention in Syria (partly because BOTH sides are anti-American ((but that may have to be overcome at some point: see WWII, which Mr. Putin mentions)), and partly because if the United Nations did agree to act - it would really be the United States acting anyway...)
- The United States is the sole "superpower," and Russia is not our equal. The United States never ceded our autonomy to the United Nations - and you can "constitute" military action however you want, Vlad, there is nothing you or anybody else can do about it.
- Military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has been commonplace for the United States for most of our 200 years (Vlad, I suggest you read The Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power by Max Boot). You yourself mentioned that "foreign fighters" are in Syria - I think that nullifies the "internal"-ness of the conflict?
- You are correct, to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional is dangerous - in your country, in Syria, and in many parts of the world. America happened because exceptional people saw themselves as such. Mere visions of American freedom are what brought down the Soviet Union, and communism. You are fortunate to have floated to the top of the ash heap, and have gotten rich and powerful off of promising such freedom to millions of poor Russians. Someday, maybe, they will experience the exceptionalism for themselves.
2 comments:
I heard that there have been earthquakes all over the world near cemeteries of American war dead -- because they all rolled over in their graves.
I don't like seeing an American President and SECSTATE have their pants pulled down around their ankles by a Russian -- even though I expect it with Barack, Hillary and John. Barack is renowned for being half negro, Hillary for being a scorned woman, and John for being a liberal panzie and traitor.
Well, the boy king almost has this country where he wants it.
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