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Comment by EGreg | Hacker News Reader

And how do we as a civilization in the 21st century prevent foreign meddling and funding of armed groups?

Stop funding and meddling with them?

Yes, but how? As an American I can try to vote for politicians that are opposed to meddling in the region, but the most that would do is create a non-meddling America. That's not going to affect the policies of other countries. In fact, a non-meddling America would likely open the door for even more meddling by countries like Russia. So: how? I really want to know.

True that the more America stays out of it, the freer hand Iran and Russia have to meddle to their heart's contents. Our only options are to either essentially let them take over the region, or try to meddle better than they do.

I don't think Russia is interested in meddling.

If anything, it seems like a made up "threat" the US officials can use to justify whatever the heck they're doing.

As somebody from Eastern Europe, I can assure you that Russia is most definitely interested in meddling, controlling political parties, parliament, almost all the newspapers, key industries, online comments and pretty much everything in my country and I suspect the countries around me.

I know it is a joke, but I really have to say: THANKS OBAMA.

It's a race to the bottom. The US, a leader in many things, often leads that race to the bottom.

Which country is this? Where can I learn more about this type of meddling?

Anyway I think in this thread we were talking about direct military operations or indirect actions through funding the training and arming of rebels or freedom fighters or whatever. And the question was about middle east, not eastern euorpe.

As opposed to trying to influence the political and economical decisions or public opinion through "propaganda" or whatever the means?

Take a look at what the purpose of government should be. We are mostly continuing policies of old kingdoms. Instead of organizing in a way to optimize for good development and peaceful lives for citizens, most democratic governments are trying to destabilize even other democratic governments. By definition a democracy is government by the people and those in power are doing stuff on behalf of their citizens. So citizens need to keep an eye on what their government does. Otherwise they are equally responsible for the atrocities carried by their government. Now for citizens to know what their government is doing, there should be transparency. The information should not be lies and opinion noise instead of facts and truths. There shouldn't be media disinformation. Those resorting to that shouldn't go scott free. Basically every human wants to live well. Have systems in place that optimize for well being of all. Thats the world I dream.

This is going to require an international commitment like nuclear disarmament and the convention against landmines. It would also require the US to stop doing it.

It's also real hard when a dictator pops up shooting civilian willy-nilly, and you know you have the power to stop him, but you don't.

Likewise with genocide. There is a reason "we" get involved in some conflicts.

Right, like in Bahrain?

Unfortunately the history of US intervention is entirely ruled by strategic objectives, and the popular support narrative ruled by cherrypicked facts and selective attention to context.

I don't disagree but that is probably true of every country. Military engagement is always going to be driven by the foreign policy and objectives of a country.

I completely agree with this. The US is not an exception.

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