Originally Posted by
Lowslung
I would hardly call Libya and Syria examples of success. Last I checked, both are maybe just a hair’s width above failed states. And before anyone accuses me of partisanship, I agree that the Obama administration shares much of the blame for recent policy failures in the region. Seems party affiliation is meaningless when it comes to unindented consequences in that part of the world.
I wouldn't say they're successful as shining examples of modern nations.
Just that the outcome is successful from our realpolitik perspective... they are no longing creating a regional stability problem relative to our economic interests, and we didn't get too heavy handed in the process. Restraint was exercised, although we did monitor both very carefully and engaged in some lower-intensity activities along the way.