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We've lost the south, that was one of the biggest fallacies. We went in there and we served the interests of one of our enemies over there, the Iranians. We propped up the Shiites, we overthrew the Sunnis, and the British didn't hold, they left. So there's more peace and less killing in southern Iraq, because all of a sudden we've allowed local control to develop more naturally. Warlords and local people are in charge, and they're more allied with Iran. But this is not a catastrophe, that's why we should deal with the Iranians in a more respectful way: if they had more control of the oil they'd want to sell, what they're gonna do with it, drink it? That's why the balance of power and the idea of self-determination should be worked out by them, not by us. As long as we do it, there'd be resentment and that is the source of the hatred towards us.

Ron Paul#49

PolicyInterventionState power

About this quote

What does it mean?
He asserts that US actions in southern Iraq empowered Iran‑aligned local forces, suggesting self‑determination should be left to locals.
In plain terms
US meddling empowered Iran‑aligned groups; locals should decide their own future.
What can you take from it?
Allow regional self‑determination rather than imposing external control.

Where it applies

  • peace talks
  • post‑conflict reconstruction

Putting it to work

  • support local governance
  • reduce external meddling

Questions to consider

  • How can self‑determination be balanced with security?
  • What are the risks of withdrawing support?

Another view

Local groups may still act against broader stability.

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