This dynamic is never going to change unless the lobbying system is fundamentally changed. No anti-war group is ever going to have the funds for lobbying available to defense contractors, just as no renewable energy groups have the same clout with the White House or Congress as oil companies. First step: rescind Citizens United.
it seems to me that empires, require massive amounts of cruelty and extreme violence and destruction to maintain their position of domination. but few public figures acknowledge that the u.s. is, indeed, an empire. (with donald trump, many of the masks are hypocrisy are falling away.) war is deeply entangled in all aspects of life in the u.s. consider the national anthem and independence day fireworks that lift up "the rockets' red glare. the bombs bursting in air." participation in the military is considered the ultimate form of "service." look at posts and comments on popular facebook pages like: united states air force (along with israel's). nationalism and patriotism trump life itself. the u.s. military is one of the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases. all wars need to now be considered a war against complex life on earth. wars against not only bodies and buildings, but also history and culture that belong to all of us. an unprecedented level of global solidarity and cooperation will be needed to protect life as we know it. the nation state with its self-interest, hubris, and aggressive ways militate against that. maybe this arrangement is already falling away.
Brilliant post. At the time of the Vietnam War, it was reported that not a single person in the State Department spoke Vietnamese or knew anything about Vietnamese history. Since then, I have observed countless government officials and mainstream journalists who reveal little knowledge of history or foreign cultures. How tragic that we don’t listen to scholars such as those frequently interviewed by Peter. And as Peter mentions, we don’t hold the war mongers accountable.
Excellent commentary Peter as usual but I do have one quibble (actually more than a quibble) about the language used in describing the likes of Dubowitz and his ilk as ‘pro-Israel.” It reminds of the way the anti-choice groups have framed their opposition to abortion as “pro-life” with the clear implication that those who disagree are somehow “anti-life.” Supporting the policies of the Israeli government (even if in the case of the Iran war it represents the view of the overwhelming majority of Israelis, at least for now), doesn’t by definition make one “pro-Israel” but rather pro “Israeli policy” as represented by its government. Many of us I would venture to say would argue strongly that such policies, in addition to being horrific for both Palestinians as well as to basic notions of morality, are also ultimately “anti-Israel.” The way language is used in framing these political wars is crucial and should not be automatically ceded to our opponents.
I keep wondering why no one holds Tom "Suck On This" Friedman accountable.
He has never apologized but instead has doubled down. ("We needed to go over to that side of the world [Middle East} and burst that bubble. ,... take out a very big stick right in the heart of that world... what they needed to see was American boys and girls going from house to house, from Basra to Bagdad...and say ... well Suck on This..." May 29, 2003, Charlie Rose interview.) He was disasterously wrong but is still considered an expert on the Middle East.
Let’s be clear about Iran. First, Iran operates as a theocratic, militarized regime. Who here wants to defend a regime that recently slaughtered as many as 30,000 of its own citizens in a few days (genocide? anyone)? I agree that this president and this defense minister are not the right administration to handle Iran, but anyone who believes that Iran should be left to its own devices will ultimately be guilty of neglect, which will come back to haunt us all.
Is Iran a danger to America? Most Americans, pundits, and even those who participate on this site, including Professor Beinart, argue that Iran is not an imminent threat. But what exactly defines "imminent"? Perhaps it means having credible information about a planned attack on the US. I agree that Iran has no current plans to attack the US, nor do I believe it has any future intentions to do so. If that’s the primary criterion for evaluating whether the US or anyone else should attempt to decapitate the Iranian state, then Professor Beinart and other pundits are right: attacking Iran would be a mistake.
However, Iran still poses a threat, particularly to those who depend on fossil fuels. In its current negotiations with the US, Iran has demanded fees for tankers passing through the straits. While many consider this an unrealistic demand, what happens if Iran becomes a nuclear power? At that point, we could not easily dismiss its demands. Who could guarantee that Iran wouldn’t enforce these and other demands throughout the region?
"anyone who believes that Iran should be left to its own devices will ultimately be guilty of neglect, which will come back to haunt us all."
That was said about IraQ in 2003. As was this:
"what happens if Iran becomes a nuclear power? At that point, we could not easily dismiss its demands. Who could guarantee that Iran wouldn’t enforce these and other demands throughout the region?"
And IraQ under Saddam Hussein was far more reckless in its foreign relations than the Islamic Republic of Iran has ever been: invading Iran, invading Kuwait and taking over the whole place and even annexing it.
Being wrong in the past does not mean you will be wrong in the present. Saddam Hussein's nuclear ambitions were destroyed by Israel long before Bush thought he had WMDs. By then, the Israelis told the Americans that he was not a threat and to go after Iran.
By the way, prior to WWII many experts did not see Hitler as a threat. Similarly, the Japanese were considered a minor, backward power.
And being wrong in the past does not mean you will be right in the present, especially if using the same arguments than the last time.
If you say Iran is a threat because it is a threat to countries relying on fuel, well, sure, and what are you going to do about it ? that's pure geography. You can't make change the geography with bombing. Iran borders the Strait on more than 150 km and the lesson from this is you don't want to make Iran angry enough to retaliate on the Strait. Period.
That has been the strategy for decades. It worked : the tankers went through. You come and declare there is a threat and bomb and oh, look ! the tankers are stuck. That means that the USA doesn't actually have the power to make Iran less threatening, and that's the end of it actually. The only smart thing the USA could do is work asap to swith to renewables. But Trump is doing the opposite because he thinks fossil fuels are manly, or something.
Name an empire that did recognize it's mistakes and reform. By nature they get drunk on power and stumble along full of hubris until they reach their Waterloo, their Stalingrad.
We have hundreds of military bases abroad led by an increasingly imperial presidency accountable to no one but perhaps a secret few. But almost no one in our media or politicians will call the U.S. an empire.
Endless war has becomed a side show while millions of Americans lack healthcare, housing and education. We have sacrificed our democracy on an altar of imperialism. And collapse has become our only way forward. We literally need to bleed at home and abroad.
Peter I am a bit disappointed you didn't mention today March 30th is Land Day, which marks the day in 1976 when 6 Palestinians were killed by Israeli police for participating in a peaceful protest for the return of confiscated land.
As a son of South Africa I thought you might have recognized it as a Palestinian Sharpsville or Soweto.
Doubt that accountability for the last war would be a deterrent for Cheeto The responsible agent for this war is Netanyahu who has been after US presidents to do what the stupidest baffoon felon(can't call him a president) decided was a good idea because his big $$$ Jewish donors would approve Always follow the $$$ with this scumbag
It’s All About Independent Media: “OK Cholesterol, Do Your Job(picturing Cheeto)”
Unfortunately for Cheeto and his Nazi allies/losers(his words) in and out of the cabinet they can’t kill or imprison all of us That’s what WE the People are all about The fascists in the Black House want to silence us Sure they can go after the big 3(ABC, NBC, CBS) or buy them up with Nazi $$$ but they can’t silence all of our voices Not our independent voices or our independent media like all those on the Substack channels who exist on the internet
Jim Acosta(https://bit.ly/3O4oqKO) is giving independent news media a present What a gift CNN gave us when they tried unsuccessfully to demote him and he said FU He’s now like all the independent Substack contributors building something very special
The independent news media that has evolved out of these fascist times are making their voices heard Just as a reminder this Nazi movement began and has consumed the CNPP(Christian Nationalist Pedo Party) that was the product of Victor Orban’s Hungarian movement and told Americans what direction they wanted to take the country in 2024 in part through the widely publicized Project 2025 As Vance’s buddy Curtis Yarvin has said, “the country should get over its dictatorphobia”, Cheeto’s actions actually have gone well past the Cheeto moniker of simply dictator
Nazi Republican canvassers are knocking on recorded Republican household doors and told to leave or they will call the police(https://bit.ly/4v4qNOC) Bad sign of the times for the CNPP(Christian Nationalist Pedo Party)
3,000 years ago, we were slaves in Egypt — powerless, stateless, and at the mercy of empires. From that story of vulnerability, we built a nation powerful enough to dominate a region, convinced of our divine right to the land we call home and determined to defeat any who threaten it. Many — though not all — take pride in how far we have come. I, myself, struggle with pride and instead feel shame at what we have become.
We will now light the Passover candles and begin the service.
Peter this is a naive position. First of all you actually should be saying that people like this should not be interviewed by journalists —that is not by those who pretend they aren’t working for the interests of Israel not the American people. These are the people behind the schemes to use our resources and our people to murder and cause mayhem in the interests of Israel grabbing more land and becoming more dominant. Secondly, this is about the wealthy donor class funding ideological propaganda institutes not about anything deserving to be seen as an “institute.” The class of wealthy donors, in this case the ones supporting Israel, need to be identified as such and so should their minions. Since America is under the control of this wealthy class of course journalists are largely pushed to avoid these kinds of information and analysis. More helpful would be for you to suggest to your colleagues who still have e jobs how they might find a work around to let people know the truth about this establishment. The word bi-partisan is misleading and a cover up on this case. The Atlantic is simply shameful for publishing them and covering g up their history and purposes.
This dynamic is never going to change unless the lobbying system is fundamentally changed. No anti-war group is ever going to have the funds for lobbying available to defense contractors, just as no renewable energy groups have the same clout with the White House or Congress as oil companies. First step: rescind Citizens United.
it seems to me that empires, require massive amounts of cruelty and extreme violence and destruction to maintain their position of domination. but few public figures acknowledge that the u.s. is, indeed, an empire. (with donald trump, many of the masks are hypocrisy are falling away.) war is deeply entangled in all aspects of life in the u.s. consider the national anthem and independence day fireworks that lift up "the rockets' red glare. the bombs bursting in air." participation in the military is considered the ultimate form of "service." look at posts and comments on popular facebook pages like: united states air force (along with israel's). nationalism and patriotism trump life itself. the u.s. military is one of the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases. all wars need to now be considered a war against complex life on earth. wars against not only bodies and buildings, but also history and culture that belong to all of us. an unprecedented level of global solidarity and cooperation will be needed to protect life as we know it. the nation state with its self-interest, hubris, and aggressive ways militate against that. maybe this arrangement is already falling away.
Brilliant post. At the time of the Vietnam War, it was reported that not a single person in the State Department spoke Vietnamese or knew anything about Vietnamese history. Since then, I have observed countless government officials and mainstream journalists who reveal little knowledge of history or foreign cultures. How tragic that we don’t listen to scholars such as those frequently interviewed by Peter. And as Peter mentions, we don’t hold the war mongers accountable.
Excellent commentary Peter as usual but I do have one quibble (actually more than a quibble) about the language used in describing the likes of Dubowitz and his ilk as ‘pro-Israel.” It reminds of the way the anti-choice groups have framed their opposition to abortion as “pro-life” with the clear implication that those who disagree are somehow “anti-life.” Supporting the policies of the Israeli government (even if in the case of the Iran war it represents the view of the overwhelming majority of Israelis, at least for now), doesn’t by definition make one “pro-Israel” but rather pro “Israeli policy” as represented by its government. Many of us I would venture to say would argue strongly that such policies, in addition to being horrific for both Palestinians as well as to basic notions of morality, are also ultimately “anti-Israel.” The way language is used in framing these political wars is crucial and should not be automatically ceded to our opponents.
Tom Friedman:
I keep wondering why no one holds Tom "Suck On This" Friedman accountable.
He has never apologized but instead has doubled down. ("We needed to go over to that side of the world [Middle East} and burst that bubble. ,... take out a very big stick right in the heart of that world... what they needed to see was American boys and girls going from house to house, from Basra to Bagdad...and say ... well Suck on This..." May 29, 2003, Charlie Rose interview.) He was disasterously wrong but is still considered an expert on the Middle East.
Let’s be clear about Iran. First, Iran operates as a theocratic, militarized regime. Who here wants to defend a regime that recently slaughtered as many as 30,000 of its own citizens in a few days (genocide? anyone)? I agree that this president and this defense minister are not the right administration to handle Iran, but anyone who believes that Iran should be left to its own devices will ultimately be guilty of neglect, which will come back to haunt us all.
Is Iran a danger to America? Most Americans, pundits, and even those who participate on this site, including Professor Beinart, argue that Iran is not an imminent threat. But what exactly defines "imminent"? Perhaps it means having credible information about a planned attack on the US. I agree that Iran has no current plans to attack the US, nor do I believe it has any future intentions to do so. If that’s the primary criterion for evaluating whether the US or anyone else should attempt to decapitate the Iranian state, then Professor Beinart and other pundits are right: attacking Iran would be a mistake.
However, Iran still poses a threat, particularly to those who depend on fossil fuels. In its current negotiations with the US, Iran has demanded fees for tankers passing through the straits. While many consider this an unrealistic demand, what happens if Iran becomes a nuclear power? At that point, we could not easily dismiss its demands. Who could guarantee that Iran wouldn’t enforce these and other demands throughout the region?
"anyone who believes that Iran should be left to its own devices will ultimately be guilty of neglect, which will come back to haunt us all."
That was said about IraQ in 2003. As was this:
"what happens if Iran becomes a nuclear power? At that point, we could not easily dismiss its demands. Who could guarantee that Iran wouldn’t enforce these and other demands throughout the region?"
And IraQ under Saddam Hussein was far more reckless in its foreign relations than the Islamic Republic of Iran has ever been: invading Iran, invading Kuwait and taking over the whole place and even annexing it.
Being wrong in the past does not mean you will be wrong in the present. Saddam Hussein's nuclear ambitions were destroyed by Israel long before Bush thought he had WMDs. By then, the Israelis told the Americans that he was not a threat and to go after Iran.
By the way, prior to WWII many experts did not see Hitler as a threat. Similarly, the Japanese were considered a minor, backward power.
And being wrong in the past does not mean you will be right in the present, especially if using the same arguments than the last time.
If you say Iran is a threat because it is a threat to countries relying on fuel, well, sure, and what are you going to do about it ? that's pure geography. You can't make change the geography with bombing. Iran borders the Strait on more than 150 km and the lesson from this is you don't want to make Iran angry enough to retaliate on the Strait. Period.
That has been the strategy for decades. It worked : the tankers went through. You come and declare there is a threat and bomb and oh, look ! the tankers are stuck. That means that the USA doesn't actually have the power to make Iran less threatening, and that's the end of it actually. The only smart thing the USA could do is work asap to swith to renewables. But Trump is doing the opposite because he thinks fossil fuels are manly, or something.
Name an empire that did recognize it's mistakes and reform. By nature they get drunk on power and stumble along full of hubris until they reach their Waterloo, their Stalingrad.
We have hundreds of military bases abroad led by an increasingly imperial presidency accountable to no one but perhaps a secret few. But almost no one in our media or politicians will call the U.S. an empire.
Endless war has becomed a side show while millions of Americans lack healthcare, housing and education. We have sacrificed our democracy on an altar of imperialism. And collapse has become our only way forward. We literally need to bleed at home and abroad.
Israel delenda est
Peter I am a bit disappointed you didn't mention today March 30th is Land Day, which marks the day in 1976 when 6 Palestinians were killed by Israeli police for participating in a peaceful protest for the return of confiscated land.
As a son of South Africa I thought you might have recognized it as a Palestinian Sharpsville or Soweto.
Doubt that accountability for the last war would be a deterrent for Cheeto The responsible agent for this war is Netanyahu who has been after US presidents to do what the stupidest baffoon felon(can't call him a president) decided was a good idea because his big $$$ Jewish donors would approve Always follow the $$$ with this scumbag
It’s All About Independent Media: “OK Cholesterol, Do Your Job(picturing Cheeto)”
Unfortunately for Cheeto and his Nazi allies/losers(his words) in and out of the cabinet they can’t kill or imprison all of us That’s what WE the People are all about The fascists in the Black House want to silence us Sure they can go after the big 3(ABC, NBC, CBS) or buy them up with Nazi $$$ but they can’t silence all of our voices Not our independent voices or our independent media like all those on the Substack channels who exist on the internet
Jim Acosta(https://bit.ly/3O4oqKO) is giving independent news media a present What a gift CNN gave us when they tried unsuccessfully to demote him and he said FU He’s now like all the independent Substack contributors building something very special
The independent news media that has evolved out of these fascist times are making their voices heard Just as a reminder this Nazi movement began and has consumed the CNPP(Christian Nationalist Pedo Party) that was the product of Victor Orban’s Hungarian movement and told Americans what direction they wanted to take the country in 2024 in part through the widely publicized Project 2025 As Vance’s buddy Curtis Yarvin has said, “the country should get over its dictatorphobia”, Cheeto’s actions actually have gone well past the Cheeto moniker of simply dictator
Nazi Republican canvassers are knocking on recorded Republican household doors and told to leave or they will call the police(https://bit.ly/4v4qNOC) Bad sign of the times for the CNPP(Christian Nationalist Pedo Party)
3,000 years ago, we were slaves in Egypt — powerless, stateless, and at the mercy of empires. From that story of vulnerability, we built a nation powerful enough to dominate a region, convinced of our divine right to the land we call home and determined to defeat any who threaten it. Many — though not all — take pride in how far we have come. I, myself, struggle with pride and instead feel shame at what we have become.
We will now light the Passover candles and begin the service.
The link to Tom Friedman (Suck on This)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwFaSpca_3Q
Peter this is a naive position. First of all you actually should be saying that people like this should not be interviewed by journalists —that is not by those who pretend they aren’t working for the interests of Israel not the American people. These are the people behind the schemes to use our resources and our people to murder and cause mayhem in the interests of Israel grabbing more land and becoming more dominant. Secondly, this is about the wealthy donor class funding ideological propaganda institutes not about anything deserving to be seen as an “institute.” The class of wealthy donors, in this case the ones supporting Israel, need to be identified as such and so should their minions. Since America is under the control of this wealthy class of course journalists are largely pushed to avoid these kinds of information and analysis. More helpful would be for you to suggest to your colleagues who still have e jobs how they might find a work around to let people know the truth about this establishment. The word bi-partisan is misleading and a cover up on this case. The Atlantic is simply shameful for publishing them and covering g up their history and purposes.
No deference to power. Seems elementary..