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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAmerica’s Control Over the World Is Rapidly Eroding
http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/05/03/americas-control-over-the-world-is-rapidly-eroding/Talk about a complete transformation: America, once the most respected nation in the world has now become the most feared and, according to independent international organizations who study and report on world opinion on key issues, it is viewed by a majority of the nations of the world as a great threat to world peace.
The people of the world watched as the U.S. invaded, occupied and fought bloody, prolonged wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, two relatively small counties with populations of less than 30 million; they saw how U.S. forces were held to a standstill by guerilla-style fighters in each of these countries. These rapidly growing militant groups in various Middle Eastern countries, such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, have learned from the Taliban in Afghanistan and the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq on how to go up against U.S. forces and prevail.
This U.S. government, former President G.W. Bush and now President Obama, have followed a policy that states that, in certain countries that are suspected of harboring terrorists, all males between 18 and (roughly) 54 years of age are presumed to be terrorist combatants unless there is explicit intelligence posthumously proving them innocent.
In other words, they are all guilty as charged and subject to being wiped out by drones unless they can somehow come forward and show themselves to be innocent before they are attacked. To think that these war-obsessed government officials could possibly come up with such a misguided, inhuman policy is beyond comprehension.
Its not only these angry and oppressed nations who are turning against the U.S. In Europe, among the nations that have been a part of NATO for decades, just below the surface there is an undercurrent of growing resistance against the U.S government and its overly aggressive military agenda, which does not bode well for the future of that North Atlantic alliance, one that originally was a defensive organization.
on point
(2,506 posts)Blow back from Project for New American Century (PNAC) to dominate the world.
Time for these people to be in jail already to improve our world standing
NuttyFluffers
(6,811 posts)no justice, no peace.
some read that as a profit motive handbook. they also read 1984 and Handmaid's Tale as instruction manuals instead of cautionary dystopias.
7962
(11,841 posts)Lets pull out of EVERYWHERE in the world. I wonder what would happen next? Russia or China would step in to replace the vacuum left. Then these nations that supposedly "fear" the US would be thinking a bit differently.
on point
(2,506 posts)The U.S., Russia, Britain etc have been in league to keep UN weak and ineffective so they could continue to pursue their global power game.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,391 posts)They openly attacked, ridiculed, and flat out ignored it when it came to Iraq back in 2003. Many of them hate the UN and would love to see it further undermined, if not eliminated IMHO.
7962
(11,841 posts)Most of the world was with us with our action in Afghanistan. Iraq squandered ALL of that because most knew it was a bullshit war. Those that didnt know it then know it now.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)for Imperial America.
7962
(11,841 posts)Other than humanitarian aid its tough to get other countries to actually put troops in harms way to enforce any resolutions
on point
(2,506 posts)The US has wanted the UN toothless so it could do what it wanted. The UN does NOT have to be toothless.
Remove US from role as world policeman.
7962
(11,841 posts)We've seen it time and again. Look at the 90s and Bosnia/Serbia/etc. Europe did nothing. Russia helped the Serbs. Only when Pres Clinton stepped in with the force of the US did the war and massacres stop. Should we have just left that situation alone and let them continue?
on point
(2,506 posts)ie Not using other countries armies. Then no need for US, Europe etc to step up.
Instead of carping on problems, why don't you provide ideas on how to fix problem??
7962
(11,841 posts)And so you want to build a unique UN force. Made up of people from WHERE? And how dependable? Its a great idea that would never work. We cant even get Europe to police their own backyard. I'm not carping, just living in the real world. And the real world is that even with all our faults, we've done more to help the rest of the world than hurt it. There are 3 powers in the world, Russia China & the US. ONE of these 3 will always have influence on most of the other countries. Its not great but thats the way it is. China is expanding its military rapidly, as is Russia. I think more countries are worried about them than us. The UN security council is 5 countries. Do you think those 5 will vote to change the system? No.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)We have become what we hated in all other nations in history, and a delusional parody of what we were.
deutsey
(20,166 posts)Jester Messiah
(4,711 posts)Couldn't tell from looking at it...
ananda
(28,831 posts)The idea that people and nations can be controlled
is faulty on so many levels.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,391 posts)to see Republicans blame Obama for any negative development in a country other than our own- as though he can control everything. Republicans would be in the same position unless they want to do regime change on every country when it doesn't do the "right" thing.
Kablooie
(18,605 posts)to be the most powerful, feared and reviled country is what they've always wanted.
hatrack
(59,566 posts)Influence, certainly, and substantial power, but "control"?
Whom Gods destroy, they first make mad.
Mr_Jefferson_24
(8,559 posts)...being wiped out by drones unless they can somehow come forward and show themselves to be innocent before they are attacked. To think that these war-obsessed government officials could possibly come up with such a misguided, inhuman policy is beyond comprehension."
This is not an exaggeration. How can we, knowing this, continue paying taxes, going on about our business as though we have no part or say in it? Responsibility for responsible governance ultimately traces to us, the citizenry, and there simply is no escaping this fact.
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How brazenly criminal and barbaric do they have to get before we reach our tolerance threshold? Is it realistic to believe that meaningful change can be brought about working within the system when it has become so completely gamed by a very powerful cartel of ruthless criminal interests?
We shall remain powerless right up to the day we finally realize we're not.
mr blur
(7,753 posts)Big difference between "respect" and "fear".
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)and the OSS not yet transformed into the CIA.
bobGandolf
(871 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)So does hubris. They always have and always will. And together they are a suicidal combination.
And Americans never learn ANYTHING from past failures. EVER.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)I guess nobody ever heard about the Romans.
kickysnana
(3,908 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)and they will understand why the world thinks this way.
Nobody likes a big, stupid bully.
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)much of our wealth is heavily invested in the Military Industrial Complex and that means a threat to our jobs, or so it seems.
We do still make war and war toys here and we have some very powerful and politically influential contractors that sing to the tune of millions and billions. It seems important to our economy to have every reason, (or excuse) to continue to fund our peace making, (read: war machine) capabilities for various reasons.
Oh and: protect our interests, keep us safe...yada, yada, blah, blah.
How do we transition this, just from the economic standpoint, (which would help the people whose jobs are at stake get behind it). I am hoping that Bernie Sanders might have a good grip on this conundrum.
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)As all of our manufacturing erodes, the only thing that is protected are military exports. I'm sure the TPP has lots of protections in there for them and its main purpose is to sell more weapons to countries.
pampango
(24,692 posts)by all countries and all people.