Recent news about U.S. involvement in Venezuela has brought attention to a larger question: should the United States intervene in other countries’ conflicts? Students at our school have different opinions about whether these actions help solve problems or create new ones.
Some students believe the United States may sometimes need to get involved in global conflicts. As one of the world’s most powerful countries, the U.S. has the ability to influence international situations. Supporters of intervention say this power could be used to address problems like drug trafficking, political instability, or threats to international peace.
According to Chapter 7 Article 39 of the United Nations Charter, intervention may be authorized if there is “any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression.” This guideline is often used as a standard when countries consider getting involved in conflicts abroad.
However, other students think countries should be able to manage their own political systems without interference from larger powers.
“I think we can handle their political influence better than they could,” said Sawyer Sizemore, freshman.
Some students also question the true reasons behind certain interventions and whether they always benefit the people living in those countries.
“Historically, it hasn’t really helped the countries that we have been involved with… most of the countries don’t ask for our help,” Ender Carathers, senior, said.
Some students also pointed out that many young people feel they do not hear enough about international issues in school or the media.
“I’m frustrated that the media hasn’t really covered this, and we aren’t hearing about it in schools because I don’t know a ton about it,” Amy Wiley, sophomore, said.
The debate over U.S. intervention continues to be complicated. While some people see it as a way to maintain stability and protect global interests, others believe countries should have the freedom to make their own decisions without outside involvement.
As global events continue to develop, students say learning about these issues and hearing multiple perspectives can help people better understand the challenges behind international decisions.