When Should We Send Our Military Overseas?

The United States might be a hegemonic power, but her foreign policy is an unpredictable mess. No, I am not referring just the to current administration, but to the past several ones. On what basis does she decide to use military intervention overseas? Everyone, friend and foe alike, must be continually puzzled. What motivates US action: protecting her citizens, national self-interest, national security, defending another country's sovereignty, moral indignation? It has been a long time since our country has articulated a coherent foreign policy.

Why Iraq But Not Iran?

The reason we invaded Iraq was because Saddam might have nuclear and/or biological weapons (so-called 'weapons of mass destruction'), but had none. We know for a fact that Iran actually is enriching uranium, and only time stands between her and a functioning nuclear weapon, perhaps even mounted atop a ballistic missile (Shahab-3, anyone?). Using the same logic, ought not the US armed forces be invading Iran at this very moment? The current administration actually sabotaged a possible Israeli air attack to take out the nuclear program. Worse, Saddam might have been deterrable, but the mullahs controlling Iran are probably much less so.

Why Lybia But Not Syria?

Both Gaddafi and al-Assad count as despotic dictators. The US aided the rebels fighting the former, but is profoundly reluctant to do the same for the latter. Why? The stated reason for intervening in Lybia was to prevent a humanitarian disaster, yet one is occurring right now (just ask Jordan and Turkey, who are considering closing their borders) in Syria. Both leaders fought the rebels, but only one of them is also slaughtering wholesale her own citizens (guess which one).

Why Bosnia But Not Rwanda?

The stated reason for putting American boots on the ground in Bosnia was ethnic cleansing (read: wholesale murder). The same thing happened in Rwanda, but the death toll among the Hutus and Tutsis was much greater, with nary an American soldier in sight.

How Long Are We Going To Remain Feckless?

I want someone to explain to me the logic behind the above decisions.

If United States foreign policy is to become more effective and globally influential, it has to stop being seemingly random. She must have principles; simply acting ad hoc or putting out fires as they flare-up is not the same thing. The United States needs to have a predictable foreign policy, so the rest of the world can act accordingly. This way, we can actually influence the actions of foreign countries, both friend and foe.