Folks who turn history into a good versus evil narrative (which is what folks always do when invoking Hitler) either don't know or are trying to hide the fact that self-interest is by far the most prevalent human contribution to world history.
It is true for Putin in Crimea. It was true for the US in Iraq.
Of course, our interpretation of our own interests doesn't always end well.
It's a shame folks don't learn the useful lessons that history teaches. At least Germany seems to be cured of exploiting its self-interest through invasion.
As with commerce, there's usually as much value to be generated via cooperation as competition. And there's almost no long term value in bullying.
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