If you’re going to take matters in your own hands, you should actually be able to stop what you’re using as reason to act. And in the end, of course, also stop it. And not add to it. That is the key point.
NATO managed to stop it in Yugoslavia. The US, while technically capable, didn’t achieve anything meaningful in Afghanistan, but left a steaming pile of mess when they withdrew. Or take Venezuela. Kidnapping Maduro didn’t help the human rights situation but only produced marketable pictures for the domestic fan base. Hence, it is very hard to see any ‘legitimisation’ in that, even if Maduro is no-one to shed a tear for. Also, throwing bombs on Iran won’t topple that regime or achieve anything for the Iranian population. So what’s the ‘positive impact’ this whole venture should have? If you want your intervention to be seen favourably, it should improve the situation. As happened in Yugoslavia. Hence, I’d say, their success proved them ‘right’, as in it is one of the few situations where I’d say I approve they took matters in their own hands when UN couldn’t respond (which undeniably would have been favourable).
If you’re going to take matters in your own hands, you should actually be able to stop what you’re using as reason to act. And in the end, of course, also stop it. And not add to it. That is the key point.
NATO managed to stop it in Yugoslavia. The US, while technically capable, didn’t achieve anything meaningful in Afghanistan, but left a steaming pile of mess when they withdrew. Or take Venezuela. Kidnapping Maduro didn’t help the human rights situation but only produced marketable pictures for the domestic fan base. Hence, it is very hard to see any ‘legitimisation’ in that, even if Maduro is no-one to shed a tear for. Also, throwing bombs on Iran won’t topple that regime or achieve anything for the Iranian population. So what’s the ‘positive impact’ this whole venture should have? If you want your intervention to be seen favourably, it should improve the situation. As happened in Yugoslavia. Hence, I’d say, their success proved them ‘right’, as in it is one of the few situations where I’d say I approve they took matters in their own hands when UN couldn’t respond (which undeniably would have been favourable).