Agree broadly, Swords. Of course, Britain and France declared war when Hitler moved in the opposite direction, east into Poland. But sure, self interest was at the bottom of it. To maintain a balance of power on the continent. The point I was making in response to Imaz's post was that Russia weren't looking to do the west any favours in WW2, and indeed had signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop non-aggression pact with the Nazi's.
Not always the case, Swords. When NATO intervened in Bosnia it was to prevent ethnic cleansing and genocide, somewhat ironically protecting the Muslim population.
There's certainly been a regression on the part of elements of the Islamic faith. Those that are part of, or support, Islamic State. It's hard to see humans ever completely rising above territorial and tribal tendencies. What are we on this board, as football fans, if not tribal? One day maybe............ [video=youtube;XLgYAHHkPFs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLgYAHHkPFs[/video]
In NATO's case yes but when its individual Nation States, self-interest is always the bottom line. And rightly so really. The primary duty of a Government is to do what's best for its people. They don't always get this right of course. Involvement in the middle-east for example has been spectacularly counter-productive and has created new enemies where none existed before. That it was as clear as crystal to the dogs in the street beforehand makes it all the more unfathomable. But that's another days work EDIT: This is a good film if you ain't seen it. Hitler's last days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnfUKyakXaU (I'm taking my life in my own hands here. Last time I recommended a film on here COL came at me like a man possessed )
