Using the 'Zoo' analogy, assume you have a zoo of gorillas being managed by zookeepers, and the gorillas separate into two distinct groups that begin feuding. In order to manage the zoo properly, the zookeepers must be aware of, but not necessarily respectful of these two groups. In other words, in order to protect their investment (the zoo and all the animals in it), they must control the animals from feuding and possibly killing each other - intentionally or accidentally. The gorillas may not be aware of the zookeepers' agenda, but their existence is being controlled by 'a higher power'. The gorillas may not care what effect their feuding has on other animals sharing their space. The other animals are, for the most part, unable to control the feuding gorillas' activity. The gorillas assume power by virtue of believing they are physically stronger and more intelligent and this is 'their right' without respect to the fact that the zookeepers are 'calling the shots'. The gorillas do not 'own' the zoo - the zookeepers do.
Extending this 'zoo' analogy to humans, assume you have many species of animals sharing a planet, and one species (humans) has two distinct groups that begin feuding. In order to manage the planet properly, an alien presence must be aware of, but not necessarily respectful of these two groups. In other words, in order to protect their investment (the planet and all the animals on it), they must control the animals from feuding and possibly killing each other - intentionally or accidentally. The humans may not be aware of the alien agenda, but their existence is being controlled by 'a higher power'. The humans may not care what affect their feuding has on other humans sharing their space. The other humans are, for the most part, unable to control the feuding that is occurring between these two groups. However, unaware to the humans, they do not 'own' the planet - the aliens do.
Perhaps the incident at Rendlesham in 1980 was bringing the world closer to doomsday than any human could realize - and the aliens simply 'defused' the situation by disabling the nuclear warheads.