Alexander B. Downes
Our interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan came after more than a hundred attempts at regime change all over the world, producing civil war and failing to promote democracy.
Even with the removal of Muammar Qaddafi, our Libya expedition shows we haven’t learned our lesson.
Greg Grandin
The United States suffers from a “containment-liberation” complex.
Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
In Libya, Obama has balanced interests and values while limiting risks.
Neta C. Crawford
Promoting democracy by military intervention is an oxymoron in ethical and political terms.
James D. Fearon
U.S. leaders know that regime change can be destabilizing and expensive, but they do it anyway.
Mary Kaldor
In Libya, the aim should have been to reduce violence so that protests could be peaceful.
John Tirman
Violence begets violence, undermining the prospects for new regimes to thrive.
Tod Lindberg
What about when the United States fails to intervene?
Joanne Landy
The wellbeing of the Washington establishment is not the same as the interests of the American people.
Alexander B. Downes Replies
Regime change is typically a choice, not a necessity.
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