>>> think the danger to the British and the French was more clear and present, but that's just a judgement call based on incomplete information, and also highlights the complexity of policy decisions.
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>There was little if any risk to the British- well documented that Hitler saw them as a natural ally. The French had a huge army and perceived little threat either. The real threat was to the Soviets.

So they intervened to address a clear and present threat. Ok.

I see the similarities, but it is lacking the quality that I'm trying to draw attention to: confronting a possible threat before it grows to be clear and present and solving the problem by installing a democracy.

In WW2 I don't think the allies were motivated by that mindset.