Internal Revolt Is Different from Externally Sponsored Regime Change

Rand Paul mentioned in his Exeter, New Hampshire rally last night that he is against regime change and uses Libya's Muammar Gaddafi downfall as an example.  It's not a good analysis because it was started in country, as were Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak downfalls. Also defending a regime from a popular revolt is contrary to our Declaration of Independence heritage.  On the other hand its agreed George W Bush's unilateral regime change in Iraq was a huge mistake. This point is made despite a Stand with Rand support because totalitarian regimes that promise short term stability blow up terribly and The Shah of Iran's downfall and the rise of an implacable enemy is the prime example.