How about trying to answer the original question, instead of attacking a position you assume he holds, a position which, in fact, he explicitly states he does n

How about trying to answer the original question, instead of attacking a position you assume he holds, a position which, in fact, he explicitly states he does not hold? The question, for the record, was "What does the US government believe it stands to gain by ensuring a strong democratic power in the region, and what does it believe it stands to lose if it fails to do so?". Other replies seem to have had no trouble understanding the question. Tearing someone down for requesting information and opinions is not productive.