U.S. International Engagement

I had an interesting conversation today with Roe, one of the other Mekong interns. It is something I have been mulling around in my mind for awhile, but hadn't heard anyone else verbalize. It was on the question of legitimacy and moral duty of the U.S. to be involved in the internal affairs of other countries. The conversation stemmed from a film we watched in class today about the persecution of the Hmong people in Laos. It seemed to be the opinion of many of the students that the U.S. should step in and stop the killing of the Hmong people. Now, before you jump all over me let me explain my feelings on the subject.

Removing the fact that there is evidence that suggests the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War has partly led to the killings, it looks a lot like other humanitarian crisis: Iraq (pre-Iraq War), Burma, Darfur, Zimbabwe, and the list goes on. Now the fundamental question here is: Does the U.S. have a moral duty to help human beings outside of its own borders being persecuted by their own government. The obvious answer here is: YES, of course! That has been my thought for the past few years. However, after learning what I have here and applying what we have learned from recent history, I am not so sure of that answer anymore.

Look at Iraq for example. Yes, I know we went in looking for WMDs, but we have since turned it into a humanitarian aid intervention. Now, I would be willing to bed that many of the same people who are against the Iraq War would favor a U.S. intervention in other areas in need of humanitarian assistance. What makes this situation, along with all the others, is that the perpetrators of the crimes are the governments themselves. When is it OK for the U.S. to decide when a human's right to life trumps the sovereignty of the government? We did just such a thing in Vietnam and now Iraq...and you don't need me to tell you that those are not some of the better moments in our country's history.

I firmly believe that the purpose of a government is to protect and serve its OWN people...not others. I believe that stepping outside of our own borders into another country without permission form said country would be over-stepping our rights as just one of hundreds of countries in the world. My question to you is: What makes us think that we are entitled to decide what is right and wrong throughout the world? We were not cast as a country meant to police the world, rather a country to protect those living here from oppression from other countries.

You may be asking yourself: "So what, you think we should just do nothing?" If you know me, you should know that I feel quite the opposite actually. I think the atrocities in the aforementioned countries should be dealt with, maybe just not by the U.S. government. Who should be stepping in? YOU and ME. Not as Americans, but as human beings...and more specifically Christians! We have a calling as children of Christ to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" (paraphrased from Micah 6:8). Too often I hear Christians ranting about the inaction of the U.S., but hear little complaining about the complacency of the church. The church is more powerful that you or even I understand. Christians have etched their names throughout history for causes such as the crusades, witch hunts, and other now obvious mistakes. I think it's time we take a stand as one body of Christ and make a new name for ourselves as we "loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free." (Isaiah 58:6)

Now, I may sound contradictory, and maybe I am. Please tell me if you feel that way. I am very open to dialogue, and I hope that this post sparks some discussion (that is, if anyone actually reads this!) I'm still fleshing out these feelings I have and have not yet fully come to a decision on the matter. I hope that you will join me in dialoguing about this issue.

Peace and love.