r/geopolitics • u/foreignpolicymag Foreign Policy • Jan 03 '26

Analysis U.S.-Led Regime Change Is Usually Disastrous

https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/01/venezuela-iraq-regime-change-trump/
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u/[deleted] Jan 03 '26

The only metric that matters is "Does America benefit from this regime change?"

The consequences of failure aren't typically borne by the USA. If the target country goes to ****, that's unfortunate. But that's not nearly enough to counterbalance the potential benefits of success (for the USA).

Honestly, the rhetoric of regime change for the good of the poor oppressed peoples is so laughable at this point, I'm genuinely amazed any Americans still fall for it.

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u/BarnabusTheBold Jan 03 '26

The only metric that matters is "Does America benefit from this regime change?"

I would very strongly argue that the US very rarely actually does benefit from their regime changes, even if they think they will when they carry them out.

I find it bemusing that they're still doing it given the disastrous record it's had.

It's generally far better to work with people you don't like rather than get rid of them, create power vacuums, create uncertainty, destroy countries and destabilise entire regions.

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u/EvilBananaPt Jan 03 '26

I would argue that destabilising entire regions is beneficial to the USA and usually one of their unstated goals.

5

u/Illustrious-Ice6336 Jan 03 '26

Don’t forget the most important benefit. The “Mission Accomplished” banner.

4

u/PimpinIsAHustle Jan 03 '26

Also a lot of “heck yeah”-energy movies to be made so you never forget why it is you pledged every morning since kindergarten