# International responses to "problematic" countries (like Iran)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-responses-to-problematic-countries-like-iran/1029122>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 8, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-responses-to-problematic-countries-like-iran/1029122 "2026-04-08T17:39:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 49

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**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-responses-to-problematic-countries-like-iran/1029122/49 "2026-04-10T14:03:42Z")

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> [@Frodo](#):
>
> So you agree with me that there is nobody that can be trusted to:
> 
> 1. Decide impartially when and where armed interventions is warranted

No, I don’t agree. If the US, or France, or a coalition of neighboring African nations, or some combination of the above decided to intervene, I’d likely support that.

> [@Frodo](#):
>
> Actually go through with the necessary force and not leave until the situation is resolved.

That’s a political problem within the states capable of intervention right now, not an inherent problem with intervention as a concept.

For example, in 2013 France intervened in Mali, which was a great move by them.

> [@Frodo](#):
>
> Not to abuse the power.

If the US or France or the surrounding African states intervened militarily and put a stop to the conflict (that has so far killed an order of magnitude more people than other conflicts that get many orders of magnitude more airtime) but that led to some level of corruption or abuse of power, I think that would be a clear net win.

> [@Frodo](#):
>
> I agree that is shameful, BUT, the answer is not to promote half-assed armed interventions, the answer is to reform international institutions so they can be trusted to manage this kind of thing.

Right, the answer isn’t a half assed armed intervention, it’s a well thought out and planned intervention. And I agree, we need to reform international institutions, but how can you possibly reform the UN to better oppose bad actors when a country like Iran or North Korea is a full member in good standing and a country like Russia is a security council member?

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