The term "real politik" applies to a foreign policy based on self interest, not on human rights, "freedom," or any consistently applied principle. Look at our relations with Cuba - communist state, we must isolate it. Iran - socialist islamist state, we must isolate. Iraq - socialist, dictatorship with crazy person (Saddam) as ruler. But Libya???? Within the past 20 years, it has been a terrorist state, a dictatorship, a radical islamic fundamentalist state, and now we are restoring relations with Libya. Why? Oil. Kadaffi (one of the principle rulers) wants to sell oil to international companies connected to US, for money, what else? Its about trade: we pay top dollar for Libya's money, they get all sanctions dropped. Were they responsible for the Locherbie 747 bombing? Perhaps their agents were connected, but it was a hit called for by Iran - the Libyans were easier to prosecute. (read this editorial written by the parent of one of the young women killed on that plane.) What is the difference between Libya and Saddam's Iraq? Saddam hated US, didnt care about sanctions, was convinced he could use Iraq oil to leverage an alliance with germany, france, to have sanctions released by UN, to isolate the US from the second largest supply of oil in the world. The UN drops sanctions against Iraq, Iraq says "f**ck you america we sell our oil to the European Union," and Iraq wins. But, we invaded. the lesson? Sell us your oil or we will find a way of wrecking your economy, or of invading your country. No sense of morality whatsoever.
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