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Title: Is America Addicted to War?
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URL Source: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articl ... /04/is_america_addicted_to_war
Published: Jun 1, 2012
Author: Stephen M. Walt
Post Date: 2012-06-01 10:25:36 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 281
Comments: 26
The United States started out as 13 small and vulnerable colonies clinging to the east coast of North America. Over the next century, those original 13 states expanded all the way across the continent, subjugating or exterminating the native population and wresting Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California from Mexico. It fought a bitter civil war, acquired a modest set of overseas colonies, and came late to both world wars. But since becoming a great power around 1900, it has fought nearly a dozen genuine wars and engaged in countless military interventions. COMMENTS (84) SHARE: Share on twitter Twitter Share on reddit Reddit Bookmark and Share More... Yet Americans think of themselves as a peace-loving people, and we certainly don't regard our country as a "warrior nation" or "garrison state." Teddy Roosevelt was probably the last U.S. president who seemed to view war as an activity to be welcomed (he once remarked that "A just war is in the long run far better for a man's soul than the most prosperous peace"), and subsequent presidents always portray themselves as going to war with great reluctance, and only as a last resort. In 2008, Americans elected Barack Obama in part because they thought he would be different from his predecessor on a host of issues, but especially in his approach to the use of armed force. It was clear to nearly everyone that George W. Bush had launched a foolish and unnecessary war in Iraq, and then compounded the error by mismanaging it (and the war in Afghanistan too). So Americans chose a candidate who had opposed Bush's war in Iraq and could bring U.S. commitments back in line with our resources. Above all, Americans thought Obama would be a lot more thoughtful about where and how to use force, and that he understood the limits of this crudest of policy tools. The Norwegian Nobel Committee seems to have thought so too, when they awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize not for anything he had done, but for what it hoped he might do henceforth. Yet a mere two years later, we find ourselves back in the fray once again. Since taking office, Obama has escalated U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and launched a new war against Libya. As in Iraq, the real purpose of our intervention is regime change at the point of a gun. At first we hoped that most of the guns would be in the hands of the Europeans, or the hands of the rebel forces arrayed against Muammar al-Qaddafi, but it's increasingly clear that U.S. military forces, CIA operatives and foreign weapons supplies are going to be necessary to finish the job. Moreover, as Alan Kuperman of the University of Texas and Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune have now shown, the claim that the United States had to act to prevent Libyan tyrant Muammar al-Qaddafi from slaughtering tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Benghazi does not stand up to even casual scrutiny. Although everyone recognizes that Qaddafi is a brutal ruler, his forces did not conduct deliberate, large-scale massacres in any of the cities he has recaptured, and his violent threats to wreak vengeance on Benghazi were directed at those who continued to resist his rule, not at innocent bystanders. There is no question that Qaddafi is a tyrant with few (if any) redemptive qualities, but the threat of a bloodbath that would "[stain] the conscience of the world" (as Obama put it) was slight. It remains to be seen whether this latest lurch into war will pay off or not, and whether the United States and its allies will have saved lives or squandered them. But the real question we should be asking is: Why does this keep happening? Why do such different presidents keep doing such similar things? How can an electorate that seemed sick of war in 2008 watch passively while one war escalates in 2009 and another one gets launched in 2011? How can two political parties that are locked in a nasty partisan fight over every nickel in the government budget sit blithely by and watch a president start running up a $100 million per day tab in this latest adventure? What is going on here? Here are my Top 5 Reasons Why America Keeps Fighting Foolish Wars: 1. Because We Can. The most obvious reason that the United States keeps doing these things is the fact that it has a remarkably powerful military, especially when facing a minor power like Libya. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, when you've got hundreds of planes, smart bombs, and cruise missiles, the whole world looks like a target set. So when some thorny problem arises somewhere in the world, it's hard to resist the temptation to "do something!" It is as if the president has big red button on his desk, and then his aides come in and say, "There's something really nasty happening to some unfortunate people, Mr. President, but if you push that button, you can stop it. It might cost a few hundred million dollars, maybe even a few billion by the time we are done, but we can always float a bit more debt. As long as you don't send in ground troops, the public will probably go along, at least for awhile and there's no danger that anybody will retaliate against us -- at least not anytime soon -- because the bad guys (who are really nasty, by the way) are also very weak. Our vital interests aren't at stake, sir, so you don't have to do anything. But if you don't push the button lots of innocent people will die. The choice is yours, Mr. President." It would take a very tough and resolute president -- or one with a clear set of national priorities and a deep understanding of the uncertainties of warfare -- to resist that siren song. Of course, like his predecessors, Obama justifies his resort to force by invoking America's special place in the world. In the usual rhetoric of "American exceptionalism," he couched it in terms of U.S. values, its commitment to freedom, etc. But the truly exceptional thing about America today is not our values (and certainly not our dazzling infrastructure, high educational standards, rising middle-class prosperity, etc.); it is the concentration of military power in the hands of the president and the eroding political constraints on its employment. (For an elegant skewering of the "American exceptionalism" argument, see Andrew Sullivan here).
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#1. To: All (#0)
From the article: 3. The All-Volunteer Force. A third enabling factor behind our addiction to adventurism is the all-volunteer force. By limiting military service only to those individuals who volunteer to do it, public opposition to wars of choice is more easily contained. Could Bush or Obama have kept the Iraq and Afghanistan wars going if most young Americans had to register for a draft, and if the sons and daughters of Wall Street bankers were being sent in harm's way because they got an unlucky number in the draft? I very much doubt it. By the way, I am not saying that the AVF is a bad idea that should be chucked, as there are a number of good arguments in its favor. Nonetheless, the AVF is one of those features of the contemporary U.S. national security order that makes the frequent resort to force politically feasible. To understand the REAL mission of the US military, and the real impact the US has on DESTROYING democracy and freedom around the world...listen to this confession of a US economic hit man. Not so dazzling, high or rising any more. All the good is being flushed down the crapper in the service of Anglo-Zionist adventures. The bill is coming due. deleted
The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one. "If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” —Samuel Adams America: Israel's Handmaiden
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one. "If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” —Samuel Adams America: Israel's Handmaiden
The short answer is, YES! Most definitely. Our economy has been structured around war and despite the peace loving myths this nation has been involved in a war of some kind virtually every year of the twentieth century until present. The reality is that the United States and its allies are responsible for raging rivers of blood, death, and destruction mostly without cause or need. The people who have moved into positions of power on the world stage are psychotics and the only answer they have to problems is the destruction and mayhem of war. Psychotics are good at one thing and one thing only destruction. Of course, as Goebbels pointed out so eloquently, the Sheeple are easily led and stampeded by fear. And when you don't have an external source you create it to get the bleating herd stirred baaaaaaing for "protection". As General Smedley Butler pointed out: WAR IS A RACKET! and the Amurkin' Sheeple are like the suckers in P.T. Barnum's famous missive. The level of ability to create of a psychotic is destroy. The problem isn't the All Volunteer Force it is the legions of Suckers who are willing to sign up for it. However, I think that is the reason that the selective Service is kept is because at some point the willingness to go die for the greater good of Exxon, Chevron, BP, and Rothschild Zionism is going to flag. And then the state will again begin conscripting young men again to go die for the greater good of the Military-Banking Complex. America its self is not addicted to war, the puppet masters of government from the CFR and its offshoots are. as long as we the people continue to put forth our sons and daughters they will continue to supply the killing fields for their blood to flow upon.
Indeed we are addicted to war, this thanks to the identical foreign policy positions both Parties take. Power, money, Israel, insanity, religiosity, and just plan blood lust makes American imperialism a tasty morsel for most.
Exactly. However, the Puppetmasters need to be smoked out and corralled. Preferably upon a small desert island where they can get busy killing each other. War was the one way political hopefuls, even sons of privilege could distinguish themselves in the eyes of the early 20th century kingmakers. We also saw this with JFK, who could have easily remained safely behind the lines or even stateside in the code breaking rooms along with so many *"brave non Christians who served one of their countries" in wartime. These days unnecessary wars are essential to keep the rich military industrialists (and BIG AWL-OILigarchs) in the lifestyles to which they're accustomed, and that translates into big bux for congressman and senators. Because our congress is heavily influenced by big munny, it means that the notion of serving the poor, unwashed masses has been relegated to the ash bin with other romantic notions of "what America stands for". Former AK Sen. Ted "It was just a loan and I was gonna pay it back. Honest!" Stevens was having a house renovated (to twice its size) by the oil interests who appreciated his support for drilling in the ANWR. After he was convicted and he lost his reelection bid the court set aside his indictment and conviction "with prejudice" which meant he couldn't be retried. (prosecutorial misconduct-none are safe I guess) Well, when Ted started making noises about how he was shortchanged and that he wanted his seat back he became a statistical anomaly by dying in his 2nd plane crash. Those who threaten to call unwanted attention to the cozy relationship between "the big munny Americans who are worthy of representation" and incumbents for life die, often in ways other than in their sleep. Post edited to correct mistakes. * There was no 2nd country to divide certain loyalties during the WWII era. There was another "nation" however.
That's what I was trying express. QUOTE: "(A)s long as we the people continue to put forth our sons and daughters they will continue to supply the killing fields for their blood to flow upon." Well said.
What were his thoughts, I wonder, as his aircraft lunged into its death spiral. Did he regret going into politics?. Did he think, "They finally f***ed me!" Q: What's the last thing that goes through a bug's mind when he hits your windshield? A: His asshole. something around the Bikini atoll.
Q: What's the last thing that goes through a bug's mind when he hits your windshield? A: His asshole. The plane was on its way to a fishing lodge. A single engine puddle jumper, a de Havilland DHC-3 should have been able to glide to a safe landing on the water unless they were over mountains or forests where the odds of a fatal crackup were greatly increased. Would it surprise you to learn that there was a ghost plane following the doomed flight and a button was pushed causing a crash in an area where survival was unlikely? Mee neether. His final thought may have been, "The Senate needs me. I have experience!"
Very well put and very accurate. And we are only a chip off the old block of our mother country which I am sure is proud of how the power elite here do us all. Thanks Mike, and I concur with your take on the "Royals." Looking at them disgusts this Irishman.
Is a crack whore addicted to crack? " If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11 "Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
Yes Calling Ron Paul an isolationist is like calling your neighbor a hermit because he doesn't come over and break your window - unknown Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do. Evangelical Fundinuts say, "kill them all who will not bow down to the Zionist Jew." - F.A. Hayek Fan
America may not be, but the MIC that call the shots sure is. Good one F.
I think we can fix that by having a Chickenhawk draft with mandatory deployment to a warzone that they've promoted and a War Tax on all warmongers. Call it a Pay-to-Play type of thing for them. We could still have an all-volunteer force to be on guard here in America and give them a tax break for their service. ------- "They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time." -- Col. Puller, USMC
I think we can fix that by having a Chickenhawk draft with mandatory deployment to a warzone that they've promoted and a War Tax on all warmongers. Call it a Pay-to-Play type of thing for them. We could still have an all-volunteer force to be on guard here in America and give them a tax break for their service. While I appreciate the problem you wish you could remedy, I wouldn't want to throw the baby out with the proverbial water. One law for all. A war time draft (even undeclared police actions and containments of commieism, Islamism, anti-American monopolism, return our goldism, etc.,) that no sons of privilege could avoid with skin rashes, cheerleading or lacrosse injuries or chronic allergies initially aggravated by the leather seats in "The Bentley". (Remember the excuses given by the College Republicans at their convention? "I'm allergic to desert, jungle and ocean environments!") Instead of forcing the platinum spooners to serve let's see to it that their politician-industrialist-banker daddies are true pacifists. And, for good measure the manpower of the National Guard will remain stable until the callup for the APMEF, Allied Petroleum & Minerals Expeditionary Forces has been satisfied.
Instead of forcing the platinum spooners to serve let's see to it that their politician-industrialist-banker daddies are true pacifists. I do remember the College Republican Chickenhawks video and their excuses: Generation Chickenhawk: With The College Republicans. There should be a similar video of College Democrat Chickenhawks who support Obama's expansions of War but also evade joining the Military and the combat they promote. I can't agree that everyone should be drafted instead of just the warmongers. How do you propose to turn the politician-industrialist-banker daddies of the platinum spooners into true pacifists? I think my War Tax suggestion could be productive to that end. What do you think about that? I say, if they can't get enough warmongering draftees and volunteers to fight abroad as Expeditionary Forces and pay their own way with a War Tax on them and their sort, No War. If we truly had a volunteer Military that could choose to serve here in America only, as our guards, or to fight abroad for corporate interests, most would not choose to be used as corporate expeditionary pawns. ------- "They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time." -- Col. Puller, USMC
I also think all businesses that move overseas and expect our Military to provide for their security at the expense of taxpayers should be made to pay for their own security and all Military expenditures for such that they have foisted onto us.
------- "They're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time." -- Col. Puller, USMC
Mr. GreyLmist wrote: "How do you propose to turn the politician-industrialist-banker daddies of the platinum spooners into true pacifists? I think my War Tax suggestion could be productive to that end. What do you think about that?" I think it's a dynamite idea! If Daddy Warbucks had to hemorrhage taxes to fund the wars and their sons and daughters had to deal with scorpions and fleas that look like they were built by Lockheed, well, such costs could certainly have prevented the thundering calls for war such as, "Remember The Maine!" Your suggestions are a solid amplification of the question, "Suppose They Gave A War and Nobody Came".
Another slam over the fence.....!
#2. To: christine (#0)
But the truly exceptional thing about America today is not our values (and certainly not our dazzling infrastructure, high educational standards, rising middle-class prosperity, etc.); it is the concentration of military power in the hands of
#3. To: christine (#1)
#4. To: randge (#2)
#5. To: christine (#0)
Is America Addicted to War?
#6. To: christine, Eric Stratton (#1)
#7. To: Original_Intent, christine (#5)
If either Moromney or Mammyjammyobammy win the November (s)election peoples with common sense will pray that December 21 2012 will indeed be the end of the world!
#8. To: christine, FOUR (#0)
#9. To: IRTorqued (#7)
as long as we the people continue to put forth our sons and daughters they will continue to supply the killing fields for their blood to flow upon.
#10. To: christine (#0)
(Edited)
Teddy Roosevelt was probably the last U.S. president who seemed to view war as an activity to be welcomed (he once remarked that "A just war is in the long run far better for a man's soul than the most prosperous peace"), and subsequent presidents always portray themselves as going to war with great reluctance, and only as a last resort.
#11. To: IRTorqued, christine (#7)
America its self is not addicted to war, the puppet masters of government from the CFR and its offshoots are.
#12. To: HOUNDDAWG (#10)
Well, when Ted started making noises about how he was shortchanged and that he wanted his seat back he became a statistical anomaly by dying in his 2nd plane crash.
#13. To: Original_Intent (#9)
If either Moromney or Mammyjammyobammy win the November (s)election peoples with common sense will pray that December 21 2012 will indeed be the end of the world!
#14. To: randge (#12)
What were his thoughts, I wonder, as his aircraft lunged into its death spiral. Did he regret going into politics?. Did he think, "They finally f***ed me!"
#15. To: Jethro Tull (#8)
"Indeed we are addicted to war, this thanks to the identical foreign policy positions both Parties take. Power, money, Israel, insanity, religiosity, and just plan blood lust makes American imperialism a tasty morsel for most."
#16. To: Ferret (#15)
And we are only a chip off the old block of our mother country which I am sure is proud of how the power elite here do us all
#17. To: christine (#0)
Is America Addicted to War?
#18. To: christine (#0)
Is America Addicted to War?
#19. To: christine (#0)
Is America Addicted to War?
"Satan / Cheney in "08" 
#20. To: Ferret (#15)
"Satan / Cheney in "08"
#21. To: christine, All (#1)
A third enabling factor behind our addiction to adventurism is the all-volunteer force.
#22. To: GreyLmist (#21)
A third enabling factor behind our addiction to adventurism is the all-volunteer force.
#23. To: HOUNDDAWG (#22)
One law for all. A war time draft (even undeclared police actions and containments of commieism, Islamism, anti-American monopolism, return our goldism, etc.,) that no sons of privilege could avoid with skin rashes, cheerleading or lacrosse injuries or chronic allergies initially aggravated by the leather seats in "The Bentley". (Remember the excuses given by the College Republicans at their convention? "I'm allergic to desert, jungle and ocean environments!")
And, for good measure the manpower of the National Guard will remain stable until the callup for the APMEF, Allied Petroleum & Minerals Expeditionary Forces has been satisfied.
#24. To: HOUNDDAWG (#22)
#25. To: GreyLmist (#23)
#26. To: GreyLmist (#24)
I also think all businesses that move overseas and expect our Military to provide for their security at the expense of taxpayers should be made to pay for their own security and all Military expenditures for such that they have foisted onto us.
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