If the US is indeed mixed up in Venezuelan internal politics, then no doubt Russia is mixed up in Ukrainian politics. In each case, it could be argued that economic and trade factors are at work, not ideological ones. The US considers Venezuela as part of its Monroe Doctrine sphere of influence, just as Russia sees Ukraine as part of the old Soviet Empire. The EU seeks trade influence in Ukraine, and Russia fears losing it. The US wants cheap Venezuelan oil and a buffer against Cuban influence. In both places, domestic politics and conflicts in the countries involved play a role as well, with people lining up on opposite sides of disputes for a variety of reasons. This is certainly happening in both Venezuela and the Ukraine. There are local constituencies who feel they have a stake in what happens.

I'm not saying these two situations are equivalent. Just that to one side or the other, it sure seems that way.

Countries have conflicts and rivalries that can usually be traced to money--trade, resources, markets. It is regrettable, but it is reality. To ignore this is suicidal, but to recognize it can often lead to working out a reasonable solution for both sides, as well as helping us to understand when conflict, even war, may be inevitable. Having a war is regrettable, but having one for no good reason except ideology is much worse. Especially when wars can often spiral out of control and shower everyone concerned with unforeseen consequences.

Business is as good a reason as any to fight, although it can often provide the common-sense solution that helps avoid bloodshed, too. Ideology is a fraud, its primary purpose is to get teenagers to enlist and prep the population for sacrifice. In the modern world, ideology has taken the place of patriotism. Its a con.

I am not a pacifist, sometimes you have to fight. I am also a realist, I know sometimes it isn't always clear whether or not we should. At any rate, it it does come to violence, you shouldn't fool yourself into thinking ideology, patriotism, philosophy or morality has anything to do with it. Maybe it does to the Ukrainians or Venezuelans. But not to us, the EU, or the Russians. Those noble sentiments also play very little role in deciding who wins, either.