Part 5/7:
Moreover, Gabbard pointed to the fallout from multiple U.S.-led regime changes in the region, noting that although the Assad regime is unpopular, the current governance of Syria is far from humane. She lamented the rise of Islamist extremists, who not only celebrate acts of terrorism but have also perpetrated violence against religious minorities in the aftermath of the interventions.
This reflection serves as a stark reminder of the complexities faced when disentangling national security from the messiness of foreign relationships. Gabbard's critique urges a reevaluation of strategic interests, questioning whether the end justifies the means when those means potentially empower groups with ideologies that contradict American values.