This goes back to the owner class (oligarchy) of the United States always wanting conflict in the Middle East so that we can continue to invade and create more civil conflict within.
That is why it does not matter if the blue or red team is president or in power; our military will continue the forever wars.
I keep getting reminded of this Democracy Now! Interview between Retired General Wesley Clark and Amy Goodman.
Lemmy post, Longer Video Interview: https://lemmy.world/post/23861196
Generated Summary of Video Below:
Donald Trump's Foreign Policy and Wars
- The discussion begins with a clarification about Donald Trump's presidency and the perception of war, asserting that while he did not start any new wars, conflicts did emerge during his tenure.
- The speaker highlights the distinction between media perception of war and the actual military engagements, emphasizing that many Americans are more concerned with the psychological burden of war rather than its human cost.
- The speaker proposes to discuss Trump's foreign policy and the wars that occurred during his administration, framing it as a necessary conversation that the media failed to have in previous years.
- Upon entering office, Trump faced critical questions regarding national security, particularly concerning ISIS and the broader implications of military action.
- Trump's campaign initially criticized the wars but did not advocate for a complete end to military engagements, focusing instead on the failures of previous administrations.
- The speaker reflects on Trump's position against the Iraq War, noting that he positioned himself as an anti-war candidate, despite his previous support for the invasion.
- The narrative suggests that Trump's claims about being anti-war served to distance himself from the broader Republican establishment's foreign policy failures, particularly regarding Iraq.
- The speaker critiques the conservative movement's handling of the Iraq War, suggesting that the blame was shifted away from the party to maintain political viability.
- The speaker describes Trump's military strategy, which included aggressive airstrikes and a focus on destroying ISIS while maintaining a complicated relationship with Russia regarding the Syrian conflict.
- Trump's approach to Assad and ISIS was characterized by contradictions, as he oscillated between wanting to partner with Assad and taking military action against him.
- The discussion includes Trump's reaction to chemical weapon attacks in Syria, detailing how he ordered military strikes that were seen as insufficient by many critics.
- The speaker outlines the consequences of Trump's withdrawal from Northern Syria, which led to significant humanitarian crises and the abandonment of Kurdish allies.
- The impact of Trump's decisions in Syria had far-reaching effects, including increased violence and instability in the region, as well as a shift in American public opinion.
- The speaker transitions to discuss Trump's foreign policy decisions concerning Iran, particularly the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which was marked by a lack of a clear strategy for what would follow.
- Trump's administration underestimated Iran's resilience and response to sanctions, leading to increased tensions and military confrontations in the Gulf region.
- The narrative continues with the unfolding situation in Iraq, where protests escalated against U.S. presence, culminating in the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike.
- The speaker highlights the chaotic and reactive nature of Trump's foreign policy, which often led to unintended consequences and escalated conflicts.
- The analysis of Libya's situation under Trump's administration illustrates the complexities of foreign interventions and the power struggles that ensued following the Arab Spring.
- The speaker outlines the fragmentation of Libya's political landscape and the involvement of various foreign powers, including Russia, Egypt, and the UAE, in supporting different factions.
- The discussion culminates in the examination of Trump's overall foreign policy approach, which is characterized by a blend of transactional relationships and a lack of coherent strategy.
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I'm a history youtuber with a focus on Cold War and post Cold War international relations and resource politics.