#usa foreign policy

[headspace-hotel]

i am reading this paper about all the bombs and missiles and other weapons the USA govt gives to Israel, because I am trying to understand why we are doing this, and it makes me sick at heart—all this money and advanced technology, all poured into blowing human beings up. "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"—how could billions and billions of dollars worth of the tools of violence NOT result in violence?

I don't feel any closer to understanding what is happening in terms of how it connects to concrete reasons in people's heads. The connection between giving a government billions of dollars in weapons and that government solving all of its problems with extreme violence seems very clear though.

USA policies toward the rest of the world keep being like "Yeah, we want to promote peace, but, like, this group of people is SO uniquely threatening and unreceptive to normal propositions of peace that we HAVE to wage endless war against them and commit atrocities." First it was "Japan will never surrender so we HAVE to nuke civilians," then it was Communists, then it was Terrorists, but it's the same thing.

I don't remember the world before 9/11, but I can look at and listen to art and music from before 9/11, and it seems like something terrible happened in USA culture, where once there was a strong "anti-war" sentiment and understanding of what war does to people, but within my lifetime, it's like no one has the audacity to imagine a world where endless war isn't "necessary." In high school my class mates were talking about seeing videos online of ISIS sawing peoples heads off and that was basically all I knew about "what was happening in the Middle East."

Does anybody even think about why peace signs are part of the 60's "aesthetic?"

I don't have any conclusion here. Have we lost the power to imagine anything different?

[very-lost-hobbit]

"US proxy war in Ukraine" Beating u with lead pipes

[luminalunii97]

Another life was taken unfairly. And it will continue until they've murdered the better half of the arrested protesters.

I knew tweeting #stop executions is not going to stop the regime. We've done it all before. As long as they see the worse they could get for commiting genocide is a tweet from eu spokesman they're going to keep killing us in the streets, in our homes and in the prison. They're not even fired from women's committee in united nations, can you believe that? Well fuck the regime, and fuck the foreign politicians. There's another call for demonstration and there's going to be more deaths and arrests. Biden and Josep Borrell can buy popcorn and watch. We won't stop until the last one of us is murdered.

This is a tweet from an Iranian citizen that speaks all of our minds

[Image translation: For 43 years, the world powers waged fake war on mullahs based on their own benefits. Now they just condemn and sanction. When are they going to call their ambassadors home and fire mullahs' ambassadors?? Ok I get it, when this regime killed all 80 million of us they're going to make a statement and say "this regime is reformed now, they don't have any oppositions"!!! ]

[workersolidarity]

🇾🇪⚔️🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇱 🚨

YEMEN MOCKS U.S. AGGRESSION WITH VIDEO SHOWCASING CONFISCATED SHIP IN RED SEA

📹 Video released by the Ansarallah movement-led Yemeni Armed Forces showcasing a confiscated Western ship in the Red Sea. The Yemeni soldiers on the ship are seen displaying large photos featuring martyred heroes of the axis of resistance, al-Nasr, General Haj Qassam Soleimani, and Haj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as the ship sails through the Red Sea.

#source

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[anniegetyourbubblegum]

I keep seeing posts from people in the US debating whether to vote for Biden in their upcoming elections to stop Trump from winning again or to punish the democrats for aiding Israel in the genocide of Palestine.

I'm argentinian and as far as I'm concerned, you should vote for whichever candidate you think will benefit you more, because you're from the US and that's all it's good for. The rest of the world will continue to suffer at your hands no matter what. Let me explain.

Democrats and republicans are not a representation of left and right wing politics: both parties are on the right side of the spectrum, only the GOP is more honest about it.

Republicans, as right wing parties do, run on promises of austerity, reducing taxes and being tough on crime. Democrats run promising to use tax money to ease your life: affordable healthcare, education and housing, all guaranteed so you can live the life of a first world citizen.

And then, they don't deliver.

You still have school shootings, massive incarceration, corruption in all levels of government, and the poorest pay a higher proportion of taxes than the richest. Healthcare, education and housing are extremely expensive and often require people to get into heavy debt to afford to have their most basic needs met, and that's only possible if you have good credit.

It's a reductive analysis for the sake of brevity, but you get the gist. The point is that having you be poor and afraid is the goal: it's a feature, not a bug.

You want to go to college? You need to buy a house? You want to start a family? Well, the military complex needs bodies! The US has far too many enemies to their way of life, so they'll need people to defend it! In exchange, they'll "guarantee" just enough money that you won't be destitute.

The US spends the most amount of money on their military in the world, by a long shot. To justify spending that kind of money, you HAVE to have wars. To have wars, you need enemies.

So, you get propaganda. "Muslims are extremists and hate our way of life." "Latin americans want to come to our country and steal our jobs." "China and Russia are communist countries that are waiting to destroy us." And you gobble it up.

You love it so much. It's in your news, in your videogames, in your movies and TV series and comic books. So, when they ask you to fight, you go running! You'll get some money out of it and you'll get to live your life the way you were promised. Sure, PTSD from the horrors is a given, but there's pills for that! And award winning movies about how difficult it is to go to war! It's all covered.

So the small, poor countries that you invade lose their money, natural resources, and their sovereignty but HEY, you brought democracy there! And the US is protected from this many enemies! Mission accomplished, right?

Well, as a citizen of a third world country whose current president is an insane pawn of the GOP, I'd like to say fuck you. He was placed so that the US could take our recently discovered lithium, and you'll get it. Enjoy your shitty iPhone 5000 I guess. It'll come at the small price of the hunger of my countrymen, but since Twitter user dan91883719 says argentinians all descend from escaped nazis, I guess it's alright.

Israel has killed Palestinians and illegally expanded its borders for over 70 years. Both democrats and republicans have sent aid and weapons to make this possible. It's in the US best interests to have conflict in the Middle East and have an ally control the area. Israel is a feature, not a bug.

And those of you who vote blue? You're trapped. Even if you know it's shit, you're unable to organize. Instead of rallying to form a new party, or a at least get a better candidate, you keep voting bad instead of worse and pat yourselves on the back for a job well done. Democrats are well aware of this and that's why they run on platforms that promise to make your life better and then sit back and say "our hands are tied" when you lose rights.

So, if you're still doubting it, vote for whoever the fuck you want. The war machine that you call 'country' won't stop no matter who's president, because those who hold the real power are already getting exactly what they want from it. Your suffering as US citizens is just as planned as the suffering of those who live outside of it.

TL,DR: Vote for whichever candidate you feel will defend your interests best. Lord knows it won't make a lick of difference for the rest of the world, because both political parties have the same plans when it comes to foreign policy.

[uniquekindoftrash]

when sleepy Joe wasn't so sleepy, he was advocating for war crimes and genocide like all good Democrats and other US politicians

and the comments on these are just.... I can't even find the words for it

[istandwithrussiaandpalestine30]

Western leaders don't care about Islamophobia. They condemn Muslim nations while turning a blind eye on USS Liberty. Israel is their number one ally. Israel has a stronghold over the US government. Just take a look at the foreign policy. The Biden administration does not care about Muslims. Yeah, protests for the Palestinians are happening, but that doesn't mean the Biden administration cares for Muslims.

[moonsfireflies1993]

One of the things that has been bothering me a lot with the West, is how they are handling this issue. Some groups are trying to relate to it by making the issue about themselves. For example; the LGBTQ community. Of course, there are people of the community that exist in the Middle East and in Palestine, but representing solidarity to the Palestinian liberation with banners of LGBTQ for Palestine is dismissing the point.

There are people in the community that exist there, and yes there are people who highly disapprove of the existence of gay people in Palestine, does that mean they should DIE?

We are different, but just remember Palestine is a diverse culture with Christians and non-believers alike who deal with that situation. Just check how they bombed the St. Porphyrius Church in Gaza. This issue has never been about religion even if some people act on those beliefs, but since 1948 it has been a territorial Issue.

People from the States, just remember that from your taxes they are funding Israeli military guns and bombs without your consent to bomb and kill civilians WITH YOUR MONEY. While the rest of the US citizens got used to the fact of being in debt and not being able to afford health services when the rest of the world can afford it by paying affordable prices or by public healthcare.

That's enough reason to protest and to manifest. Because it has to do with your money and how is being used.

You can support the Palestinian cause without being pro-Hamas, you can be a Jew and still criticize the state of Israel. Cuz guess what? All governments should be criticized, especially if it is something that concerns everyone.

[lilithism1848]

[dailybehbeh]

Behbeh

[mischief02]

Federal laws need to change.

The Constitution needs to change.

They have to. They will.

As Americans, no government will ever be good enough for us. Until one is.

Until these things happen.

[progressive-politico]

A Million Reasons To Abolish The Cia

The CIA is the deadliest terrorist organization in the world, bar none. In its 73-year existence, the CIA has been responsible for the murder of millions and the destruction of progressive movements and governments in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.

The CIA engineered or assisted coups in Iran, Guatemala, Congo, Iraq, Indonesia, Greece, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and more, and brought to power regimes that used extreme brutality in the interests of U.S. corporations and local elites.

CIA torturers beat detainees at Guantanamo and held them in stress positions literally for days, sometimes treating their wounds in such a way as to prolong the pain.... some prisoners were kept awake for 180 hours—in other words a week.

The CIA under the leadership of Allen Dulles recruited more than 1,000 Nazis as spies in the Cold War against the Soviet Union. Many of these fascists were war criminals from the highest ranks of the Nazi command, and received U.S. govt protection.

CIA carried out brazen terror plots to bomb, starve, and sabotage the Cuban Revolution. Preparations were in place to incentivize the murder of Cuban communists through a “system of financial rewards .... for killing or delivering alive known communists”

CIA support for torture in Latin America was equally extensive. In Chile, the CIA-supported coup which brought Pinochet to power brought with it the torture and murder of thousands of activists. The head of Chile’s secret police was a CIA asset.

In 1953 the CIA overthrew the govt of Iran. The CIA organized right-wing military leaders, financed groups of criminals to attack parliament. CIA-designated generals arrested Mossadegh and declared Martial Law. The Shah was put on the throne as a tyrant with absolute power.

In 1978, the communist party and progressive members of the Afghan military overthrew the monarchy. Immediately following the revolution, the CIA organized counter-revolutionary mercenaries supported by feudal landowners. This militia called itself the Mujahedeen.

The CIA and NSA spy services worked at all levels for apartheid and against the African National Congress activists who were routinely murdered, tortured and sentenced to life in the hell holes of South Africa.

[workersolidarity]

🇺🇲 🪖🏦 🚨

UNITED STATES SENATE APPROVES $886 BILLION DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

The United States Senate overwhelmingly approved the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bill funding the U.S. Defense Department to the tune of $886 Billion after abandoning some of the more controversial, hot-button social policies pushed by some Republican lawmakers on Wednesday.

The annual Defense Bill passed with 87 votes in favor and 13 against. A vote in the United States House could come as soon as Thursday morning, with the hope the President could have it signed soon after.

The Bill is the result of many months of negotiations between Democratic and Republican leadership, along with the White House, and remained deadlocked for some time over funding for the war in Ukraine, with the final bill approving the funding.

Earlier this summer, hard-line Republican lawmakers passed their own version of the NDAA including policies blocking medical treatment for transgender troops, the Pentagon's travel abortion policies, and programs to promote "diversity and inclusion". Democrats apposed this version of the NDAA, and the negotiations have been going on until now.

The Senate Bill however does not include the more contentious provisions, and has garnered strong bipartisan support. Language limiting funding for abortion services, transgender medical treatment and drag shows were not included in the final draft.

The final bill did include a pay cap and hiring freeze for defense programs related to "diversity and inclusion". The approved version of the bill also includes provisions supported by Republicans prohibiting the promotion of Critical Race Theory and the display of "unapproved" flags at military instillations, with an eye towards targeting the gay pride and transgender flags.

Another provision pushed by Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker forces the Pentagon to formulate a plan for the use of unused border wall materials.

With some Republican lawmakers balking at the lack of oversight for Ukraine aid, negotiators finally agreed to create a new Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve, the official name given to the operations responding to Russia's Special Military Operation in Ukraine.

Before the final vote, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul attempted a last minute meneuver to strip out the four-month extension of the sweeping surveillance powers given through the highly controversial Section 702 affording Intelligence Agencies the power to spy on American citizens who get caught up in the dragnet of foreign surveillance, however that move was voted down 65 to 35.

The final bill also includes provisions to implement the AUKUS submarine sharing pact between the U.S., U.K. and Australia, including the delivery of Virginia-class subs.

Republican Senator Roger Wicker had initially blocked the sub deliveries, in order to secure an additional $3.4 Billion in Submarine Industrial base funding alongside Ukraine and Israel aid. The final deal delays the sub delivery until one year after the bill becomes Law.

The Bill also approves a 5.2% pay raise for troops.

#source

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[dubaidullah]

How the CIA's negligence led to the crack cocaine epidemic

My dear brothers and sisters, I want to open up a door of much controversy in this post, I know that I will not be able to hit all the angles, but there is a whole slew of conspiracies revolving around the United States government's involvement in the introduction and spread of crack cocaine in South Central LA. I will go broader and share how crack cocaine became available to the impoverished colored communities in American inner cities.

This narrative starts in the Contras, which were an anti-communist rebel group in Nicaragua and they were fighting the Sandinista government during the 1980s. The Cold War was running tensions high at that time and Ronald Reagan saw the Contras rebel group as a useful key to fighting the spread of communism in Latin America. However, to help the Contras, the US government found itself mixed in with some nasty scandals and actions linked to drug trafficking.

A large allegation came from investigative journalist Gary Webb in his “Dark Alliance” series which was published by the San Jose Mercury News. In his series, Webb points out that there was a connection between the CIA and the Contras when it came to the distribution of crack cocaine in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities. His claims were met with skepticism and criticism by some in the media, but they did open the door for people to start asking questions and looking into this. The role that the US government played in drug trafficking was too evident, as the question was ultimately: Did the government officials know and do nothing to maintain their ties with the Contras, or did the government actively play a part in the distribution as well?

What added to this whole controversy were the discoveries of the Kerry Committee which was chaired by the senator at the time, John Kerry. This committee’s investigation into the drug trade and the connection to the Contras in this effect found much evidence of the involvement in the drug activities by persons who were US gorvenment officials associated with the Contras. These discoveries of the reports details how certain activities by the US government were intertwined with the drug trade by the Contras group, directly implication the US gov. 

Of course, these discoveries had to be part of a larger scheme or context where the crack cocaine epidemic was devastating communities across the US, particularly affecting African American neighborhoods. The rise of crack was directly related to the availability of cocaine increasing due to the “efforts” of organized crime and the “involvement” of the United States in their self-righteous “War on Drugs”. Cocaine was the rich man’s drug and so it was nearly impossible for it to be readily available for sale in impoverished neighborhoods. But when the cheap alternative of crack cocaine came into the mix, that's when the crack era started and it just so happens that the rate of crack use sky-rocketed in the African American communities. 

As we delve into this history, it's essential to recognize the layers of complexity. It's not just a story of conspiracy but a reflection of how international affairs can have unintended and far-reaching consequences on domestic issues. The impact on African American communities was profound, leaving a legacy that we are still grappling with today. The story of crack cocaine in America is a cautionary tale of political agendas, unintended consequences, and the need for a more holistic and humane approach to drug policy and socio-economic disparities. This period in history also raises important questions about accountability and transparency in government actions. The Iran-Contra affair, where the U.S. secretly sold arms to Iran to fund the Contras, highlighted the lengths to which governments might go in pursuit of foreign policy objectives, often with little regard for the potential fallout on their own citizens. The scandal underscored the need for oversight and checks and balances in government, especially when dealing with covert operations. The media's role in uncovering and reporting on these events cannot be overstated. Gary Webb's reporting, despite facing significant criticism and pushback, played a crucial role in bringing these issues to light. It underscores the importance of investigative journalism and a free press in holding those in power accountable. The crack epidemic also had a significant impact on American culture, influencing everything from music to literature. It brought attention to the struggles of inner-city communities, highlighting issues of poverty, inequality, and racial discrimination. The epidemic and its fallout have been a recurring theme in hip-hop music, movies, and literature, providing a window into the experiences of those who lived through it. In conclusion, the legacy of the crack cocaine epidemic in the U.S. is multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the fabric of American society. It's a story of international intrigue, political machinations, social upheaval, and a stark reminder of the lasting impact of policy decisions. As we reflect on this period, it's crucial to learn from the past and work towards a future where the mistakes of the past are not repeated, and the well-being of all communities is a central consideration in policy-making.

"Big White Lie: The CIA and the Cocaine/Crack Epidemic" by Michael Levine and Laura Kavanau-Levine offers a detailed examination of the alleged involvement of the U.S. government, particularly the CIA, in the cocaine and crack epidemic in the United States. Drawing on Levine's experiences as a former DEA agent, the book claims that the CIA was complicit in drug trafficking operations as part of its foreign policy strategies, particularly in Latin America. The book discusses how these activities, purportedly aimed at supporting anti-communist efforts abroad, had significant and devastating consequences on American streets, especially in black communities.