The Last Person Who Believes in Intervention

In this essay for TIME, Elliot Ackerman examines Bernard-Henri Lévy's documentary The Will to See and the enduring tension between internationalism and isolationism. Using Lévy's reporting from conflict zones across Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya, and Rojava, Ackerman considers the moral responsibility of witnessing suffering beyond our borders, even when intervention itself remains deeply contested.

The Costs of Looking Away

Drawing on contemporary events including Russia's threat to Ukraine, China's treatment of the Uighurs, and the collapse of Afghanistan, Ackerman argues that while military interventions often produce mixed results, excessive isolationism carries its own risks by emboldening authoritarian regimes and diminishing Western influence.

Why Bearing Witness Still Matters

Rather than advocating for endless military intervention, Ackerman highlights Lévy's commitment to documenting forgotten conflicts and reminding audiences that awareness is the first step toward meaningful action. The essay ultimately asks readers to remain engaged with the world, even when solutions are uncertain and global crises seem distant.

Originally published by TIME.

Original article:
The Last Person Who Believes in Western Intervention | TIME