I would generally agree but I'm also mindful of lost opportunities we had with Obama to advance the green revolution in Iran to overthrow the Mullahs.  That reticence set us and the world back 10 years in making them nuke free.  I also remember Tienanmen Sq. and how our silence led to more oppression of the Chinese.    HK knows full well the difference between communism and democracy.  They want to be free as do those on the mainland.  The Communist overlords are in a bind with a woke population yearning for freedom in HK and an economy that's faltering.  They know the people in mainland China are watching closely as are those in Taiwan.  The protesters are praying that the U.S. can help them advance towards democracy.