Why would the US be entitled to any oil here? And how would that be a good outcome for the people of Venezuela?
> and the Venezuela people get to live better lives, that's ultimately a great outcome for everyone.
That's a big if. Ask the Iraqis how well it went when their dictator was gone. And that was with boots on the ground not just leaving a power vacuum like this.
> It's controversial to say these days, but I think this is exactly how the West should be using it's military force – to promote democracy and freedom around the world.
Wait a few decades till China does this to you and we'll see how you feel.
If you think the EU’s “diplomacy over force” approach will deter anyone, look at Ukraine.
> If you think the EU’s “diplomacy over force” approach will deter anyone, look at Ukraine.
Enlighten me, what's the policy of the USA as of last year? Because I honestly don't know. It depends who the guy last talked to. That's American foreign policy now, no plan, all based on the irrational behavior of an 80 year old.
The _intent_ of the policies seem to be "treat the US better as a trading partner than you have under Biden, or get punished in ways that hit you the hardest", usually via tariffs or other means. NATO members have exploited the US with lopsided investment in the alliance under Biden, and many European countries had really bad trading agreements with the US -- bad for the US, not for us. I'm surprised we got away with it for this long.
That was negotiated by whom again? Oh, right, trump in his first term...
So the only conclusion I can draw is that he's like a toddler. If you give him what he wants he'll want more. That's foreign policy now.
Also, NATO has seen article 5 invoked once. By the US and it's allies helped out after 9/11. So it hasn't been too bad for the US. I don't disagree with the fact that a lot of European countries should've been spending 2% of GDP though all along
If only Norway had the political system to allow something similar…
Did he? Or did you mean "feared"? So "respect" in the Machiavellian sense of the word?
A lot of people now dealing with Trump, even his allies, seem to be walking on egg shells, trying not to say something that angers him, appeasing him with adulation and false praise, and trying very hard to remind him "we're all friends". Much like one would treat a dangerous guys who happens to be holding a gun.
Check social media or go ask a trusted Venezuelan / Latino, happiest I've ever seen the community, because regardless of what's comming, it looks like the light at the end of a tunnel
Agreed about the better lives, but has it come to a point we accept invading other countries to "secure their oil" is a great outcome? I mean, what is this, Hitler's "Operation Blue"?
Securing oil is NOT a valid reason to invade countries. Does this need to be said!? Mind boggling.
This is peak cynicism. I'm really surprised to read some opinions here.
Next up: "imperialism wasn't bad, securing a big empire with colonies is a great outcome".
I get the concern about forever wars some are raising, but this clearly isn't going to be a forever war for the reasons you state. Plus if the US secures some oil and the Venezuela people get to live better lives, that's ultimately a great outcome for everyone.
It's controversial to say these days, but I think this is exactly how the West should be using it's military force – to promote democracy and freedom around the world.