3 ms·

The "politician's fallacy" (we must do something, this is something, therefore we must do this) is at its strongest when it comes to massacres in other countrie

The "politician's fallacy" (we must do something, this is something, therefore we must do this) is at its strongest when it comes to massacres in other countries. Nobody wants to sit around and just watch it continue, and it's really hard to put yourself in the frame to accurately analyze "is there actually anything I can do about this which won't make the problem worse?" It's a hard problem and I don't know what to do about it, especially since (as a sibling comment mentions), sometimes you can improve the situation. Other times you will make it much worse. And I haven't seen a trustworthy way to distinguish the two (lots of interventionist-minded folks claim they have one; I think they're kidding themselves).

jopsen 9mo ago
The something in question is bombing. Didn't Israel and the US try that last year? Maybe the objective wasn't regime, but I doubt more bombs will do that? Not after so many years of sanctions. Sadly, I don't see any positive outcome, short of the regime gracefully collapsing on itself. Hardening sanctions won't do Iranians any good, but it will make the country poorer and less able to inflict violence on other countries. Which is guess is the logic. And following the export of drones to Russia, I doubt Europe, which has previously been in favor of fewer sanctions, will oppose more sanctions on Iran. If only the US administration had friends, they could do something with sanctions. But I guess useless bombing it is, or maybe just nothing -- this is Trump after all. Sadly, I doubt it matters either way. The regime sponsors terrorism, not reason they wouldn't do it at home.
- tptacek 9mo ago
  How do you mean? The US attacked the Iranian nuclear program; they very deliberately didn't attempt to escalate to an attack on the regime itself.
  - jopsen 9mo ago
    Fair enough, but would more bombs do anything?
    - tptacek 9mo ago
      No, I don't think so.
throw310822 9mo ago
> when it comes to massacres in other countries. Nobody wants to sit around and just watch it continue Oh really? I was under the impression that the US actually armed and funded for two years a genocidal war on Gaza. (Btw in that case Scott Aaronson, far for being concerned, actually argued that Israelis can and should kill as many people as they need to feel safe).
- mhb 9mo ago
  Your mis-impression is well-advertised. Unfortunately, Hamas is happy "to sit around and just watch it continue".

jopsen 9mo ago

The something in question is bombing. Didn't Israel and the US try that last year? Maybe the objective wasn't regime, but I doubt more bombs will do that? Not after so many years of sanctions. Sadly, I don't see any positive outcome, short of the regime gracefully collapsing on itself. Hardening sanctions won't do Iranians any good, but it will make the country poorer and less able to inflict violence on other countries. Which is guess is the logic. And following the export of drones to Russia, I doubt Europe, which has previously been in favor of fewer sanctions, will oppose more sanctions on Iran. If only the US administration had friends, they could do something with sanctions. But I guess useless bombing it is, or maybe just nothing -- this is Trump after all. Sadly, I doubt it matters either way. The regime sponsors terrorism, not reason they wouldn't do it at home.

tptacek 9mo ago
How do you mean? The US attacked the Iranian nuclear program; they very deliberately didn't attempt to escalate to an attack on the regime itself.
- jopsen 9mo ago
  Fair enough, but would more bombs do anything?
  - tptacek 9mo ago
    No, I don't think so.

throw310822 9mo ago

> when it comes to massacres in other countries. Nobody wants to sit around and just watch it continue Oh really? I was under the impression that the US actually armed and funded for two years a genocidal war on Gaza. (Btw in that case Scott Aaronson, far for being concerned, actually argued that Israelis can and should kill as many people as they need to feel safe).

mhb 9mo ago
Your mis-impression is well-advertised. Unfortunately, Hamas is happy "to sit around and just watch it continue".