In the world of politics, some things never seem to change. Take for instance the perpetual debate over military intervention in foreign nations. Recently, California Congressman Darrell Issa raised some pertinent issues regarding President Trump’s decision not to engage in nation-building in Venezuela. Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, Issa isn’t against the notion of aiding other countries. Instead, he stressed that the President wanted, quite simply, to avoid getting entangled in yet another quagmire, like those oft-bemoaned past interventions. After all, playing the world’s police officer is a costly business, both in terms of lives and taxpayer dollars.
Issa brought some clarity to a muddled situation when he addressed concerns about the legality of deploying resources like Delta Force without giving the whole Congress a head’s up. The Congressman pointed out that, technically, the law doesn’t require a briefing for every single military operation, especially ones needing utmost secrecy. According to him, a handful of key leaders and perhaps a select intelligence committee were informed, thus ensuring that vital secrets were preserved. Otherwise, any leak could spell disaster for delicate missions.
The congressman made a strong case against giving away military strategies to the entire Congress, humorously comparing it to sending out an embossed invitation to the enemy. Imagine, he suggested, if Venezuelan leader Maduro had been notified about U.S. plans five days in advance. That would have handed him an opportunity on a silver platter to prepare and resist. As it stands, keeping such operations under wraps can often be the difference between success and failure, potentially saving American lives and maintaining international credibility.
Bolstered by Issa’s perspective, the discussion took an interesting turn when Jason Chaffetz reflected on the reactions from some skeptical Democrats. They seemed to worry about the precedent set by the U.S. taking such decisive action in Venezuela. But Issa countered this fear by pointing out the naivety of such an argument. To suggest that other nations might mimic U.S. actions without legitimate reason is to ignore the established norms of international diplomacy and law. No sane country encourages unwarranted invasions or the undermining of sovereign states based on merely calling someone “bad.”
It’s important for the folks at home to realize what Congressman Issa means when he says that this isn’t about overthrowing governments and controlling foreign economies. It’s about potentially offering people the chance to return home to a free and prosperous Venezuela. There’s a sliver of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, a change in leadership can restore what was once a nation of opportunity. In a world filled with so much chaos, this is a rare opportunity to do the right thing without overstepping boundaries—an endeavor mirroring that beloved mantra of putting America first, while cleverly extending a hand to those in need.
