I fully agree with you both and your concerns are very reasonable.
The Monroe Doctrine is a great thing and should be enforces but to what point? Are you ready to sacrifice yourself in a nuclear war over it? Or maybe you want your children to fight and die in South America?
That is a diplomatic issue. In order for other countries to recognize US security concerns you need to make US government recognize theirs.
The problem is the US government believes that US armor in Estonia 300 yards from the Russian border or USN in China Sea are a good thing but Russian bombers in Venezuela more than thousand miles away from US are inconceivable.
Something is wrong with this way of thinking.
A capability for abstract thinking and reflection is that make human different from primate. Imagine yourself in Russian or Chinese boots and the solution for insecurities would be found.
We can only dream to see neocons to be above primates but they aren’t and they are in charge of foreign policy.
Imagine yourself in Russian or Chinese boots and the solution for insecurities would be found.
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Its not as simple as that. Russia, China and Cuba are deeply involved in this calculus and no doubt have designs of their own for the region. To ignore that reality is simply being naive. They are not inclined to abandon their multi-faceted motives for being in Venezuela.
Its a universal truth that perceived weakness invites aggression, and can lead to tragic miscalculations. There’s nothing abstract about that concept at all. Again, I’m not advocating an invasion but diplomacy is only effective so long as there are other credible sanctions and/or “sticks” that can be brought to bear.