Here’s a quick question for everyone, especially as this forum has members from all over the world.
Why do different countries pick and choose which wars they get involved with?
The west went to Afghanistan to fight terrorists, the west then left after many years of conflict with countless lives lost on both sides and within days the terrorists take over the country, so was that a pointless war?
On the continent of Africa there is numerous wars always happening with lots of inhuman practices and the west do nothing. Then we have Russia invading Ukraine for what seems to be no reason at all, and the west supply Ukraine with weapons but watch from the side lines.
I’m not a major follower of politics and certainly not an advocate for war, but I do find this stuff barmy.
There are lots of reasons for war, and some really weak excuses have been used when one country was determined to go to war with another.
The War of Jenkins’ Ear was the name given to an English war declared against Spain, built on an incident when Captain Jenkins had his smuggling ship searched by Spanish coast guards, who allegedly cut off his ear as punishment.
But England wanted a war against Spain, and this incident was a good excuse - even though it had taken place 8 years earlier.
When there is a conflict of interest between both parties involved, it is never considered foolish for either PARTY to prioritize their own interests.
The United States is currently the largest arms dealer in the world. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US accounted for 37% of global arms exports between 2016 and 2020.
The decision-making process regarding whether or not a country decides to engage in a war is influenced by a variety of factors, including political, economic, and strategic considerations.
Political factors may include a country’s relationship with other nations, the ideology of its leaders, and the perceived threat to national security. Economic factors may include access to resources, trade relationships, and the potential cost of conflict. Strategic factors may include military capability, the availability of allies, and the likely outcome of the conflict.
Each country has its own unique set of interests, values, and priorities that guide its foreign policy decisions, including whether or not to engage in war. As such, different countries may choose to get involved in some conflicts but not others.
Regarding the example you provided about Afghanistan, the decision to go to war was initially based on a desire to respond to the 9/11 attacks and eliminate terrorist threats. However, as the conflict continued, the goals and objectives of the war evolved, and the costs and benefits of continued involvement were re-evaluated.
The decision to supply weapons to Ukraine in response to Russian aggression is based on a desire to support a country facing external threats, but the decision not to directly intervene militarily may be influenced by concerns about the potential risks and costs of escalation.
It is a complex topic, and the decision to engage in war or not can have far-reaching consequences. Ultimately, each country must weigh the costs and benefits of military action and consider the potential consequences of their decisions on the global stage.
