On the Possibility of Imperial Humanitarianism
THE PRESIDENT last night, (via IOZ)
[G]iven the costs and risks of intervention, we must always measure our interests against the need for action. [Obama]
To elaborate just a little, here is what Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough said on the same topic earlier in the day:
[W]e don’t get very hung up on this question of precedent. What we do — because we don’t make decisions about questions like intervention based on consistency or precedent. We make them based on how we can best advance our interests in the region. [McDonough]
Though I think McDonough sells empire short on the consistency charge. Entrenched power consistently makes decisions based on furthering its interests. And, really, can a one trick pony be anything but consistent? US power is an ordinance.
Stump Lane 