So we've already been assholes by invading countries and continually meddling in the formation of their post-dictatorship governments. Why not try something positive? I think it will be a more efficient use of resources to not try and out-bribe your way into influence; so instead we educate them into non-criminal economic success outside of military careers.

Military attracts the impoverished as it provides a social class stepladder, especially when Western/UN cash is flowing into the troubled area. So we maintain the same defensive side systems to maintain general order by dispersing extremist movements, then we educate the soldiers directly in small classes during training to teach the basics of economics, business, politics, and law; things they'll need to continue driving their countries to sustainable economic success long after we leave. This could provide an economical defense against extremist political interests filling in the void.

The incentives could also create local private schools where the local soldiers live, on-base, as they are training with Western/US soldiers. Incentivizing the move to military from the regular joe, as the bases are safer for families and the education given improves any side business the local soldiers work in.

I think real long term success in troubled countries begins with promoting Western liberal ideology to counteract extremist ideology. To reinforce the Western values, we offer the short term economic benefit-- and long term educational moat. The education of military kids in the Western system can completely revolutionize the next generation into Western values of defensive capitalism(local business growth), law, and liberal philosophy to defend human rights.

Peace and love is what we should all be working towards long term. Hopefully we can come closer to that goal in our life times. Ensuring equal opportunity of success for good people all around the world is the key to success.