Is 'the left' acting 'hypocritically' to be anti-war?

This came up in a debate I was having on here. This was news, given that I and people of similar political bent have been consistently against military interventions. Nonetheless, the fact that some leftists are critical of Trump's airstrike has allowed some alt-rightists to accuse them of hypocrisy.

I do take the point that the US mainstream liberal establishment (like the British one) is hawkish. I find it disappointing but predictable that a lot of the liberal media are cautiously praising Trump for perusing foreign policy that is apparently within the 'mainstream' of normal objectives. I.e. interventionist and against Asad. The Syrian War is highly complex and Trump's action is largely symbolic but nonetheless history teaches us that doing less is normally the best option.

This is one area in which Trump is arguably a lesser-evil than Hillary Clinton. HRC recanted her support for the Iraq War but has learned nothing from it, as witnessed by the Libya debacle. It is likely that she would be more confrontational with Putin in that region and a stand-off between two nuclear super-powers is something that nobody should want. Then again, she was never truly a 'left' politician, particularly on issues of trade and foreign policy.

I think its a good thing that some (but not all) Trump supporters are anti-interventionist. I welcome those who are open-minded enough to be critical of Trump on this. Should they name-call the left though? I think not. I was going on demos against the Iraq War whilst most of them were munching on their freedom fries.

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Northwest · M

Hillary is an interventionist liberal. President Obama, is a leftist.

He did not want to interfere in Syria, because doing so, would play into the Islamist GCC/Qatar/Turkey hands.

The neocons supported Hillary, because they thought Trump is an isolationist alt-righthist. It turns out he had no clue, and said what would have sounded good to your typical "let's gather around the bar, have a few beers, and solve the world's problems" crowd. Partially to get himself elected, and partially, well, because that's his level of sophistication.

He finally realizes, that he should really be supporting the short term goals of his GCC/Qatar/Turkey friends, and these folks want Assad out, to re-establish Sunni dominance over the Levant. That would be the same people who gave rise to ISIS and armed it.

We can shelve the "did Assad do it conversation" for now, as no one really knows. The liberals are happy, because we're doing something about someone who is killing his people. The alt-right is not happy, because it's a betrayal. The left is worried, and the right (industrial/military complex) is drooling over the prospect of a long term, us versus them conflict.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

Obama was no leftist. He counts as centre left of the post Reagan Us establishment on most issues so I guess its relative. His administration was involved in military operations in seven countries.

Tbf he was a dove compared to Hillary though. Libya was her idea and Obama deserves credit for resisting pressure to escalate things in Syria.

Northwest · M

@Burnley123: I think he's the real deal, based on his original agenda, speeches, community organizing, etc. but he moved to center, so he can get elected. It all happened, after he appeared on Oprah.

He also wanted to arrive at a consensus position. A mistake, in my opinion.

I am waiting for his memoirs to confirm.

This should especially be the height of irony, if Trump and the haters understand irony, but his refusal to support the GCC/Qatar/Turkish agenda in Syrian and Iraq, goes against their accusations of his Kenyan birth and supposed Muslim faith (Sunni, but it's not like they know the difference).

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Northwest: I agree that its all Oprah's fault. I blame her for Trump too. 😉

On a serious note, I think you have it right when you say Obama was a consensus politician. Exactly the wrong time for it. Its a glass half empty or half full situation. There is a lot the left can criticise but at least he was better than a Republican.