Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 20 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

An Addiction to WAR, an Obsession with Power is Crippling America

By       (Page 1 of 3 pages)   11 comments
Message Michael Payne

 

War should always be a last resort. Sometimes war is necessary and justified in order to maintain a nation's security but, often, it is misguided and totally unjustifiable. Our War of Independence can be considered a just and honorable war. The same holds true for World War II when America, together with its allies, primarily Britain and France, went to war to defeat the Axis Powers of Germany, Japan and Italy.

 

On the other hand the invasion and occupation of Iraq should be considered as one of the most egregious violations of international law in the history of the world. And the Afghanistan War, while originally initiated as retribution for the 9/11 tragedy, quickly became an exercise in overreaction and overkill with a conflicted mission.

 

This nation and this government are locked into a war mentality that drives it from one war to another; after World War II there was Korea, then Vietnam and then a succession of lesser misguided military conflicts leading up to Iraq and Afghanistan. Which other nation in the world has embraced war to this extent? Is there any nation that spends such a massive amount of its wealth in the proliferation of war?

 

Mr. Obama, who is supposed to be in the process of winding down the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan is allowing his advisers to bring great pressure on the governments of these nations to allow the U.S. to establish a permanent military presence in each. And on this president's watch the military is involved in conflicts in Libya, Yemen and Somalia.

 

Which nation might be next, how about Iran? That is a distinct possibility as Israel has been waiting for an opportunity to attack Iran, who it accuses of developing a nuclear bomb. But Israel wants the U.S. to participate in this attack that would almost certainly cause a Middle East inferno. Iran has a very formidable military force and weaponry that, if attacked, it has stated it will use to launch a massive attack on the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40% of the world's seaborne oil is shipped, and on the many U.S. warships in those waters. Pure insanity!

 

As if that is not enough, a confrontation is developing as we speak as the U.S. is accusing Pakistan and its intelligence service, the ISI, of being closely linked to and supportive of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network of militants, which they been blamed for recent attacks against the U.S. embassy in Kabul and on other facilities. Pakistan vehemently denies these charges which is setting the stage for yet more conflict.

 

So, here we go again. If America decides to aggressively expand military actions in Pakistan it will be doing so in a region that is home to four nuclear powers; Pakistan, India, China and Russia. Of these nations only India is a real ally of America and is a longtime enemy of Pakistan. As powerful as the U.S. military is, if it ever goes so far as to directly confront this powerful consortium of nations, then the security and future of the entire world will be at great risk.

 

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Must Read 2   Supported 2   Valuable 2  
Rate It | View Ratings

Michael Payne Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact EditorContact Editor
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Orwell's "1984" becoming a reality in modern-day America

Heed the Warning Signs; America is Edging Ever Closer to a Societal Implosion

Ethics and Morals in America; an Endangered Species

How Do You Spell Sociopath? G-O-P

The Beginning of the End for the U.S. Dollar as the World Reserve Currency

A U.S. President Defies Congress, the Constitution and the Will of the People; Will Impeachment Follow?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend