Trouble normally begins when ideals clash with national interests

There exists conflict between 'ideals' and 'national interests' as policymakers understand them. Since its policymakers who determine the ideals and the actual national interests the level of their competence matters. This makes ideals and national interests, as perceived, contrived, or collectively accepted, relative to individuals holding power. The ability to flex geopolitical muscles, whether military or those of influence and persuading others, empowers countries to ignore agreements and stated ideals if they contradict perceived national interests. This conflict is apparent in Ukraine and Gaza which expose domestic and global hypocrisy of supposedly honest men and women in power. These people negate stated ideals as they watch, encourage, and give excuses for the destruction of Gaza and Ukraine.