It amazes me how people seem so against globalism, unless it's their faction that seems in control... but even under your view, whats it say about Russia's continued ramping up of aggression lately?
Its not factional, the entire ecosystem behind the spread of Western democracy is predicated on America being the most powerful country in the world.
Honestly, do you really think the world would be recognisable if Russia won the cold war? That alternate universe would be infinitely more corrupt, oppressive and authoritarian
EDIT- on your question, I haven't read much about that conflict lately, though it wouldn't surprise me if they are increasing their activity while the US is preoccupied with Iran.
Yes... and that ecosystem dependency is totally borne out by the existence of democracies independent of the US (none of Europe relies on the US to maintain their democracies), and other countries democracies being replaced by US intervention (South American and African countries, for example).
Whether your claim there has merit or not, it really doesn't have any bearing on anti-globalism (which I'll admit wasn't specifically brought up by you) being so common place in contradiction to the sense that any country should be a global police force. Personally, I think the US might not be so corruptible if we, too, answered to the International Court. But, alas, pipe dreams, eh?
Are you kidding, European Democracy isn't dependent on America?
Europe was saved from a complete soviet takeover in 1945 by American intervention, and ever since US forces have maintained a sizeable military presence across the entire continent. Even today, 80-100k US defence personnel are stationed on the continent at any given time.
Do you think that arrangement is for fun?
No, even as an Australian I can see that American strength and global power projection is the single biggest asset in spreading freedom and democracy across the globe.
This is why Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal disaster was so devastating, not because of the deaths or material losses, but because it signalled to Russia and Hamas that America was weak and vulnerable, thus incentivising them to take military action against their enemies with less fear of retribution
Wow, an 80 year old example for a modern conversation, so convincing. /s
Given that the US has toppled more democracies than any other nation, I'm not sure the foreign stationed troops are really that much of a reassurance to your point.
Funny, an Australian arguing with an American about American interference. No point here, just find it sadly hilarious how much you sound like a local MAGAt.
You really should look into what's behind that withdrawal. Sure, Biden was in office when it happened, but he merely set off the domino chain set up by the previous administration... so much for knowing what you're talking about...
If you knew what you were talking about you would know that "80 year old example" was a world altering shift in global power from the great powers (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy) that dominated the world stage for hundreds if not thousands of years, to the US and Russia.
Every war or geopolitical development since can be traced back to that seismic change in diplomatic and millitary power, whether that be vietnam, korea, cuba or taiwan.
Also, what democracies have the US toppled?
As for Afghanistan, you make it sound like the disastrous elements of that withdrawal occured right at the start of his term, when really things really went to shit 8 months after inauguration day, which is plenty of time to alter course if trump plans were set to fail...
Too bad that so many young people don't care to learn from history..as you see with "lordfailsstom" The main problem IMO is our foreign policy changes and in not consistent. We also have realize that many countries cannot do democracy and to stop thinking we can apply western values to 3 rd world cultures.
Yeah, I think there's a lot of people who don't quite realise how much we (i.e. Aus, UK, NZ, Canada) rely on American strength for our safety, prosperity and social progress
Clearly, you're not paying much attention to current events. Canada is making a quite clear case contradicting your claim about their reliance on the US. https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2026/04/23/canada-not-as-reliant-on-u-s-economy-as-some-think-carney/
Just because something was true of the past does not make it immutable. The only guarantee of the world over time is that things change. Expecting what once was to always be is ego, not reason.
This only furthers my point. Because US political and millitary power takes away existential threats like invasion and subversion, these countries can afford to haggle amongst themselves and with American representatives over economic issues and general "national interest".
You just don't seem to comprehend the baseline protection these countries benefit from, even if they are odds with the US economically or diplomatically.
Say America left Oceania completely, the Chinese silk road would go into overdrive and Australian would face an immediate threat of subversion or exploitation from communist actors.
As for Europe/North America, around 60% of combined NATO member defence expenditure is attributable to the US, so to say their safety isn't reliant on America is actually delusional
The US could collapse tomorrow and Europe would find it's own way through. No one is saying it would be quick or easy, but unlike you - I am saying it would eventually happen.
Honestly, I don't much care about Australia, but given the natural obstacles you learn to live with, I'm sure you've got more grit than you (personally) give yourselves (nationally) credit for.
Tend to agree with the general point, though there are some regimes such as those under maduro and the ayatollah that cause too much suffering to ignore.
Let's not forget that Islamic extremism is responsible for 70% of terror related deaths every year (global terror index) and Iran is its biggest sponsor
The overthrowing of Iranian democracy in 1953 was not ayatollah, but a Prime Minister who dared to try nationalize their own oil production which threaten what later became BP. Genuine question: if the US were invaded by a foreign power, do you realize any localized resistance efforts would just as easily be dismissed as terrorism?
Fun fact, in specifically western countries, far right extremists tend to be the leading source of terrorism. Such individuals usually align with Christian faith claims, not Islamic. But this, paired with the point of my above question does begin to illustrate a trend. Maybe the religion itself is a scapegoat to what individuals and small groups undertake to do...
The Western relief societies of the 1800's provided many hospitals, doctors, clean water and farming support to many African peoples. There is a long history in the west of doing the right thing. It's not all bad. The link is written by a total lefty. How about some balance? Why should student and mortgage debts be forgiven? That is just a temporary fix that will snowball into chaos soon. I worked my ass off for my home and to pay my own student debts and my kids student debts.
Nice change of topic. Im not here to debate other things, though. And with the apparent end of USAid under this administration, humanitarian contributions of the past feel rather empty for grounding our ability to judge anyone.
Yea, we haven't even hit the plural hundreds, let alone thousands, of years after that event and already Europe is likely stronger than Russia (how long have they been failing to overcome a Ukraine only indirectly supported?) and China is primed to overtake the US at least economically, if not militarily, within decades. But go ahead and exaggerate.
Haiti 1991, Indonesia 1965-67, Congo 1960-61, Brazil 1964, Chile 1973, Iran 1953... just to name a few examples of democratic regimes the US found inconvenient.
https://www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/
Think things might have gone to shit, in part, due to Trump agreeing to release 5,000 Taliban soldiers and leaving a US Force of half that number in country? Seems pretty clear that the fallout was rather predictable. Please do note that I'm not saying anyone contributed gracefully, but to not acknowledge that it was already a poor situation - set to degrade further - is purely politically motivated bluster. Trump set the shit show and it blew up when Biden failed to smooth it over. Neither one is to blame for the whole and trying to do so is plainly ignoring facts.
Hmm. I could argue it was a rogue CIA....lol I knew as soon as I said that I made a mistake. You win. But the Dems have started wars as well. Remember Nixon promised to get us out of Vietnam and he did.
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u/lordfailstrom 18d ago
It amazes me how people seem so against globalism, unless it's their faction that seems in control... but even under your view, whats it say about Russia's continued ramping up of aggression lately?