Stop me if this sounds at all familiar

A Western government is determined to interfere in the affairs of a Middle Eastern country that is the guardian of a resource that is important if not critical to the larger world. They seek advice from their highest placed legal advisers as to the legality of any action. The lawyers tell them that any such action would be illegal.

Government intervenes anyway. Intervention becomes a disaster. The public remains unaware of legal advice for years and years.

I guess we never learn!