Foreign Policy

So I'm kind of at a loss, and wonder what people think.

I'm reading an article in the New Yorker about a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan, and one of the members of the resistance says he feels betrayed by the western world.

"Srour's hatred of Bashar was matched only by his sense that the rebels were being unjustly ignored by the entire world. 'The West is cheating us,' he said. 'If they wanted to knock out the regime, it wouldn't take them more than ten days. We don't have anything. They give us promises -- but empty promises. They want the struggle to continue and ruin the country.'" 

What should be the US's role in foreign affairs? I feel like we meddle so often in the affairs of other countries, with such an attitude of nationalism, that a lot of the world has less than pleasant feelings towards us. Yet it sounds like Srour is saying that they want the West's help. Which makes sense. If I were in their position, I'd want help, too. But what is the right way to be involved in foreign affairs that isn't so colonial? How do we determine when to help and when not to? Sometimes I wonder if our country even has the capacity to help unselfishly. Not that our government is necessarily made up of greedy self-seeking people, but that generally those with corrupt interests have a louder voice at the global table, and have an easier time garnering support from other major sources of power in the world. 

Cuz He's Black

Agony

"Agony comes from the word for protest—agony is a taking issue with grief, as in no, I vehemently disagree." -Heather Sellers

(I am not in agony. I just really like this quote, because, like all people, sometimes I am in agony.)

Other people's tattoos are way more fun

Switching the Script on Masculinity, Friendship, and Drinking

Way to be, Guinness.

Burst

"In order for a seed to grow it must first burst its shell of limitations." -Peter the 1970s Essene

Visit the Sick

A short film by a professor at my school. Good stuff.

The whole website seems like it's filled with good stuff. Hoping to explore it someday.

Tripping Over Joy

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint? 

The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God 

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move 

That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!” 

Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
You have a thousand serious moves.”
-Hafiz