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The whole point of using force in an unstable region is to bring about peace and stability. To say that a break down of peace and stability is just cause for withdrawing the troops that would be able to do something about it is mad. US troops are in the region to help secure a peace, should that peace begin to deteriorate that signals the need for more resources to fight it, not less.

If you look at the ethnic cleansing and genocides of history, there has been only one thing that has stopped them: force. It did not take negotiation, a hands off approach or diplomatic wrangling to stop the greatest crimes against humanity the world has even seen. On the contrary it required meeting the enemies of humanity with raw force and violence.

This sounds unappealing to many people. Won't US troops then be the ones dying then? Yes and no. For one, the presence of US soldiers is a strong deterrent to both ethnic cleansing and regional destabilization. The fact that Iraq was for such a long time unstable is not proof against this claim, rather it is supporting evidence. In areas where US troops were continually present, there was minimal violence. In areas where troops were sporadic or not present, violence rose to levels that would constitute a humanitarian crisis. In fact, it was the increase of US soldiers that actually brought a lull in the violence, not the absence of them.

Many will question why the US should concern itself with the regional troubles of an area that cannot directly affect us. The answer has much to do with the idea that the United States has the power to prevent the suffering of thousands of people, and as it posseses the power, it has a responsibility to use the power for the betterment of all. One of the reasons the US is criticized by many in the world is that it is seen as only acting in its own self interest. By using troops to prevent the deaths of those we have no connection to, we make a powerful statement about our morals and our character. Such a statement sometimes requires the death of our own servicemen so others might not suffer, this, while never an easy thing to ask, is truly the measure of our devotion to helping others.

If, as a country, we only care for ourselves and our immediate interests, than this would not be a trade we would be willing to make. But if, as I believe, we see ourselves as not only our own protectors, but protectors of some of the core ideals of humanity, we would look at such a trade as unfortunate, but necessary. Such is the cost of being a responsible world power, and good people.

Learn more about this author, Bryan Jennings.
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