When should we interfere militarily in other countries? - Page 2 - Politics and Economics

I don't have a long, detailed first post for this one (drunk at 4:17am ldo), but I was wondering what peoples' thoughts are when it comes to super powers intefering in other countries' affairs. Are we morally obliged to intervene in countries like Syria and Libya where dictators are killing (or have killed) thousands of civilians? What guidelines should be considered to intervene militarily? Should we mind our business and let people in such countries fight for themselves or should we provide some kind of support?

I'm fine conceptually with intervening to protect civilians, but I doubt that either Syria or Libya threatened/threaten enough civilian deaths to make it likely that an attack would reduce the ultimate number of dead civilians.

The Kosovo bombing campaign was plausibly justifiable.

02-24-2012 , 03:46 PM

#28

leoslayer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by krmont22

So do you think the USA is trying to instigate a war with Iran?

no i dont.

02-24-2012 , 05:05 PM

#29

krmont22

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But you would agree that trying to cripple their economy through trade embargos is an act of war?

02-24-2012 , 05:20 PM

#30

seattlelou

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Quote:

Originally Posted by krmont22

But you would agree that trying to cripple their economy through trade embargos is an act of war?

"Act of War" is a political term up for debate. International law refers to acts of aggression which do not include non violent sanctions.

02-24-2012 , 05:21 PM

#31

MyrnaFTW

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Quote:

Originally Posted by krmont22

But you would agree that trying to cripple their economy through trade embargos is an act of war?

too much logic for him KR

02-24-2012 , 05:56 PM

#32

leoslayer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by krmont22

But you would agree that trying to cripple their economy through trade embargos is an act of war?

no kermit im talking about them running a military blockade that keeps our trading partners from being able to trade with us.

or some type of it attack/virus.

agriculture terrorism (im not sure if this is the correct term)

im sure there are a few other things.

and just because we refuse to do business with them its not an act of war.

02-24-2012 , 06:05 PM

#33

krmont22

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What about saying anyone else who does business with them is punished as well?

02-24-2012 , 06:08 PM

#34

seattlelou

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Quote:

Originally Posted by krmont22

What about saying anyone else who does business with them is punished as well?

By not doing business with them as well?

02-24-2012 , 06:10 PM

#35

krmont22

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Also, stopping aid. Obviously, we can stop doing business with whoever we want. I just think when we are trying to get as much of the world as possible to hurt the Iranian economy, while we have them completely surrounded with military bases, I do see why they would feel threatened and provoked.

02-24-2012 , 07:08 PM

#36

leoslayer

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theve been naughty for a long time. and even the un, which i dont support called for them as well.

02-24-2012 , 08:31 PM

#37

krmont22

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What have they done?

02-24-2012 , 08:47 PM

#38

leoslayer

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oh i dont know hostage crisis, state sponsored terrorism lots of stuff. they are the enemy.

02-24-2012 , 09:00 PM

#39

ohaithar

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Quote:

Originally Posted by leoslayer

theve been naughty for a long time. and even the un, which i dont support called for them as well.

Surely, it has nothing to do with the fact that we've been messing up their country since the 50's.

02-24-2012 , 09:57 PM

#40

leoslayer

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nope not us. soviets and brits

02-24-2012 , 10:15 PM

#41

uke_master

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Quote:

Originally Posted by leoslayer

nope not us. soviets and brits

i'm confused, are you trolling or just profoundly ignorant?

02-24-2012 , 10:30 PM

#42

zikzak

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Quote:

Originally Posted by uke_master

i'm confused, are you trolling or just profoundly ignorant?

There is *some* truth to his statement. The actual meddling by the British pissed off the Iranians more than the actual meddling by the US.

But that was 40 years ago.

02-24-2012 , 10:42 PM

#43

Fedorfan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWookie

Never, obv. I mean, who are we to say, really, that gassing millions of Jews is so bad?

When did we go to war to save the jews?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-6c2...eature=related
(2:00 mark where one of stalin's higher ups told Roosevelt he was a Jew and asked him to help stop the atrocities and Roosevelt said he wasn't here for that)

02-25-2012 , 12:12 AM

#44

leoslayer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by uke_master

i'm confused, are you trolling or just profoundly ignorant?

yes the first shaw pahlavi was put in office by the brits and soviets.

then later as he backed out of treaties and broke business contracts the brits and soviets mostly put his son in office in his place.

02-25-2012 , 01:07 PM

#45

krmont22

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So who are we going to put in office? er I mean let the people democratically elect.

02-25-2012 , 01:25 PM

#46

leoslayer

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i dont care whos in there as long as they are relativly sane.
Most ppl would agree that those in power now need to go.

02-25-2012 , 03:15 PM

#47

sards

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWookie

Never, obv. I mean, who are we to say, really, that gassing millions of Jews is so bad?

Obviously everyone agrees that gassing Jews is very, very bad. But that doesn't imply that the USA (or any country) should go to war to stop it.
If people want to voluntarily band together to stop atrocities, I'm all for it. But don't force others to participate.

02-25-2012 , 05:30 PM

#48

krmont22

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Quote:

Originally Posted by leoslayer

i dont care whos in there as long as they are relativly sane.
Most ppl would agree that those in power now need to go.

Most people? Who? When was this poll done? How many Iranians have you spoken to?

02-25-2012 , 05:57 PM

#49

leoslayer

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krmott, come on. cant people on this site use common sense. do you not think the people running the iranian gov are bad people?

all the statements about israel, and the holocaust? they are islamists. and they are a danger.