I also agree with your hate of realpolitik excuse and comment; yet I have to ask... What is the alternative? idealism? a mix of both?

I find the idealist to be useful fools for propaganda. I find the mix of both even worse as it mostly becomes "it's right when we do it".

I guess in my view where I see these are the only alternatives, I just hate whoever disagrees with me and create a reason post-facto like [realpolitik cinicism/naive idealism/insert here qualifier].

But I try to be open to different alternatives if you can tell me.

The problem is when those "realpolitik" enthusiast become surrender monkeys.

What should be known as "real" is acknowledging evil, genocidal intent of some dictatorships and working towards undermining them, not strengthening them by trade deals and allowing them to enforce their claims.