We all know how the game is played:
The US, EU, will “liberate” while others “occupy.” Think Iraq, Libya, Syria, the Serbs, hyped up claims against the Serbs, Gaddafi, etc.
when other countries use civilians to aid the military and its operations the media calls them “mercenaries” but when the US does the same with its civilians the media calls them “contractors.”
Even neck choppers get labeled by the NSM as “moderate Muslims” and allies.
When other countries provide arms to other countries those using them are “[whatever country]-backed,” but when the US provides arms to Kurds they are “Separatists” as the media doesn’t call them “US-backed.”
My husband spent time with the Kurds. Says they’re mostly decent people which is why the rest of the Muslims hate them. He doesn’t like the communist Kurds though.
There is a difference between a contractor guarding facilities, persons, or food convoys to civilians and a mercenary fighting force, leading your war.
There is also a difference between a temporary invasion and an imperialistic taking of a country as your own.
Not all things are equal tit-for-tat, the same to each other.