It doesn't seem natural to me. I hate to traffic in conspiracy theories, but...
For the past century the US Government via the CIA has encouraged uprisings via public protest.
Our enemies's governments interpret this (correctly) as a provocation and an existential threat.
I would not be surprised if our own counter-intelligence agencies have evidence that these people are being egged-on, provoked, and perhaps even funded by the intelligence agencies of our enemies.
- Practice or experiment with new types of warfare.
- Develop resources in countries of interest.
- Demonstrate that they can.
- Provide a credible threat without a symmetrically proportionate/appropriate response.
On the other side of the coin, they might try to take credit even if they don't deserve it, or we might decide to respond via non-symmetrical but proportionate alternatives.
