Consequences of War and Militarism Martin Donohoe.

Consequences of War Consequences of War and Militarismand Militarism

Martin DonohoeMartin Donohoe

OutlineOutline

The history and epidemiology of warThe history and epidemiology of war

Nuclear weaponsNuclear weapons

Chemical weaponsChemical weapons

Biological weaponsBiological weapons

OutlineOutline

Economic and environmental Economic and environmental consequences of militarism and warconsequences of militarism and war

Health consequences of militarism Health consequences of militarism and warand war

Contemporary conflictsContemporary conflicts Iraq, Afghanistan, “War on terror”Iraq, Afghanistan, “War on terror”

SolutionsSolutions

History of WarHistory of War

Violent conflict ubiquitous in the Violent conflict ubiquitous in the animal kingdom:animal kingdom: Interspecies conflict – food, territoryInterspecies conflict – food, territory Intraspecies conflict – food, territory, Intraspecies conflict – food, territory,

mates (usually not directly fatal)mates (usually not directly fatal) Violence among non-human primatesViolence among non-human primates

Gorilla infanticideGorilla infanticide Chimpanzee killing bandsChimpanzee killing bands

History of warHistory of war

10,000 yrs ago – agriculture10,000 yrs ago – agriculture Stable populations, division of labor, Stable populations, division of labor,

warrior classwarrior class 3500 yrs ago – bronze weapons and 3500 yrs ago – bronze weapons and

armorarmor 2200 yrs ago – iron2200 yrs ago – iron 1900 yrs ago - horses1900 yrs ago - horses

History of warHistory of war

Ninth Century China - bombs Ninth Century China - bombs developeddeveloped

Thirteenth Century China – rocketsThirteenth Century China – rockets Forgotten until the 19Forgotten until the 19thth Century Century

1783 – Balloon1783 – Balloon Montgolfier brothersMontgolfier brothers Prussian general JCG Heyne – used for Prussian general JCG Heyne – used for

bombingbombing


1903 – Wright brothers/Kitty Hawk – 1903 – Wright brothers/Kitty Hawk – airplaneairplane

2020thth Century – nuclear submarines, Century – nuclear submarines, predator drones, weaponization of predator drones, weaponization of spacespace


Belief that each new invention would Belief that each new invention would eliminate warfareeliminate warfare

Instead, increased casualties, killing Instead, increased casualties, killing at a distanceat a distance

Epidemiology of WarfareEpidemiology of Warfare

Deaths in war:Deaths in war: 1717thth Century = 19/million population Century = 19/million population 1818thth Century = 19/million population Century = 19/million population 1919thth Century = 11/million population Century = 11/million population 2020thth Century = 183/million population Century = 183/million population

Increasing casualties to civiliansIncreasing casualties to civilians 85-90% in 2085-90% in 20thth Century (vs. 10% late Century (vs. 10% late

1919thth Century) Century)

War Deaths, 1945-2000War Deaths, 1945-2000

http://www.worldmapper.org/images/largepng/287.png

Legacies of Colonial Legacies of Colonial ExploitationExploitation

Christopher Columbus’ log entry upon Christopher Columbus’ log entry upon meeting the Arawaks of the Bahamas:meeting the Arawaks of the Bahamas:

““They…brought us…many…things…They…brought us…many…things…They willingly traded everything they They willingly traded everything they owned…They do not bear arms…They owned…They do not bear arms…They would make fine servants…With fifty would make fine servants…With fifty men we could subjugate them all and men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”make them do whatever we want.”


Winston Churchill (speaking in favor Winston Churchill (speaking in favor of RAF’s “experimental” bombing of of RAF’s “experimental” bombing of Iraqis in 1920s, which killed 9,000 Iraqis in 1920s, which killed 9,000 people with 97 tons of bombs):people with 97 tons of bombs):““I am strongly in favor of using I am strongly in favor of using poisoned gas against uncivilized poisoned gas against uncivilized tribes to spread a lively terror…tribes to spread a lively terror…against recalcitrant Arabs as an against recalcitrant Arabs as an experiment”experiment”


Cecil Rhodes (Rhodesia, Rhodes Cecil Rhodes (Rhodesia, Rhodes Scholarship, DeBeers Mining Company):Scholarship, DeBeers Mining Company):

““We must find new lands from which we We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain raw materials and at the can easily obtain raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap slave labour same time exploit the cheap slave labour that is available from the natives of the that is available from the natives of the colonies. The colonies would also provide colonies. The colonies would also provide a dumping ground for the surplus goods a dumping ground for the surplus goods produced in our factories.”produced in our factories.”

Contemporary WarsContemporary Wars

250 wars in the 20250 wars in the 20thth Century Century

Incidence of war rising since 1950Incidence of war rising since 1950

Most conflicts within poor statesMost conflicts within poor states

27 separate civil wars currently underway27 separate civil wars currently underway 19 involve U.S.-supplied weapons19 involve U.S.-supplied weapons

Wars Promoted Through Wars Promoted Through MilitarismMilitarism

Military buildupsMilitary buildups ExceptionalismExceptionalism ImperialismImperialism Glorification of warGlorification of war Unrealistic expectationsUnrealistic expectations

Contemporary WarsContemporary Wars

72 million lives lost in 2072 million lives lost in 20thth Century Century wars, another 52 million through wars, another 52 million through genocidesgenocides

WW II: first war with more battle WW II: first war with more battle deaths than deaths from other deaths than deaths from other causes, such as accidents, disease, causes, such as accidents, disease, and infectionsand infections

Vietnam WarVietnam War

US dropped the equivalent of one 500 US dropped the equivalent of one 500 lb. bomb on every person in Vietnamlb. bomb on every person in Vietnam

Vietnam War: 1.5 to 3 million Vietnam War: 1.5 to 3 million Vietnamese casualties; 58,000 Vietnamese casualties; 58,000 AmericanAmerican More US soldiers died of suicide More US soldiers died of suicide

after Vietnam than died in combat after Vietnam than died in combat during the warduring the war

Consequences of WarConsequences of War

Deaths, injuries, psychological Deaths, injuries, psychological sequelaesequelae

Collapse of health care system Collapse of health care system affecting those with acute and chronic affecting those with acute and chronic illnessesillnesses

FamineFamine

Consequences of WarConsequences of War

Environmental degradationEnvironmental degradation

Refugees, migrants, internally-displaced Refugees, migrants, internally-displaced personspersons

Increasing poverty and debtIncreasing poverty and debt

All lead to recurrent cycles of violenceAll lead to recurrent cycles of violence

Evil Doctors

“When a doctor [goes] wrong, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge.”

- Sherlock Holmes to Dr. Watson, Arthur Conan Doyle

Nazi Medicine

Guiding philosophy = Hegelian (rational utility)

Ethics reduced morality to efficiency, economics, and aesthetics

Individual worth stated in economic terms

Propaganda (books, films) stressed obligations to state

Nazi Medicine

An arm of state policy

Focus on racial purity from eugenic sterilization (370,000) to involuntary euthanasia (70,000) to large-scale genocide (over 6 million)

Nazi Medicine

Doctoring the nation more important than doctoring individuals

Focus on preventive medicine and public health: anti-tobacco and anti-alcohol campaigns, environmental toxins, organic farming To improve Aryan stock

Nazi soldiers given anabolic steroids to increase aggresiveness

Nazi Physicians

52,000 physicians joined National Socialist Party

Jews ostracized; replaced by young Aryans 5% of non-Aryans committed suicide;

25% murdered

Nazi Physicians

Economic hard times, physicians salaries rise, academic perks

Blutkitt (“blood cement”) Rare resistance

Catholics Marxists Dutch

Nazi “Physician-Researchers”(Torturers)

Dr. Sigmund Rascher - coagulation/amputation studies; hypothermia experiments

Dr. Karl Gebhart: heteroplastic transplantation experiments c.f. Stalin’s attempts to create interspecies

(half-men/half-apes) “super-warriors” Drs. Karl Clausberg and Viktor Brack: X-

irradiation/sterilization

Nazi “Physician-Researchers”

Drs. Joachim Mrugowsky, Erwin Ding-Schuler, and Waldemar Hoven: IV phenol and gasoline executions

Dr. Friedrich Wegener (formerly “Wegener’s Granulomatosis,” now ANCA-associated granulomatous vasculitis ): German pathologist, Nazi party member, autopsied a prisoner with oxygen injected into his bloodstream in an embolism study; may have participated in experiments on concentration camp inmates

Nazi “Physician-Researchers”

Dr Hans Conrad Reiter (formerly “Reiter’s Syndrome”, now “reactive arthritis”): senior Nazi official

Dr. Joseph Mengele: Septicemia/twin vivisection studies

Dr. Hans Eppinger - “father of modern hepatology”

“Indirect Participants”

Prof. J Hallevorden: “Look here now, boys, if you are going to kill all these people at least take the brains out so that the material could be utilized … the more (brains) the better….I accepted these brains of course. Where they came from and how they came to me was really none of my business.”

Doctors and Resistance

German invasion of Poland (1939) Drs Eugene Lazowski and Stanislaw

Matulewicz created a fake typhus epidemic, using a harmless bacterium to innoculate non-Jews, knowing that infected Jews would be summarily executed

Germans fooled, quarantined area, many Jews escaped death

Nuremberg Doctors’ Trial

23 German physicians tried 16 found guilty

7 hanged (incl. Gebhardt, Brack, Hoven, and Mrugowsky)

Rascher died before trial; Mengele fled for Argentina (remains verified 1985); Hallevorden committed suicide before trial

Nuremberg Code

Voluntary consent is absolutely essential

Avoidance of unnecessary physical and mental suffering

Option to quit/responsibility to terminate

Other safeguards

Declaration of Geneva

“I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient”

“I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.”

“It is unethical for physicians to employ scientific knowledge to imperil health or destroy life.”

Post-WW II

Over 700 Nazi rocket scientists and their families brought to the U.S. (including Werner von Braun) to help build nuclear missile program Operation Paperclip

Japanese scientists brought to Fort Detrick, MD, to help establish U.S. biological/chemical weapons program

Doctors as Terrorists

Pediatrician George Habash – founder of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Behind aircraft hijackings of Black

September

Dr. Fathi Shiqaqi – founder of Palestinian Islamic Jihad


Ayman Al-Zawahiri - #2 in Al Qaeda

Ikuo Hayashi – chief of circulatory medicine at a leading Japanese hospital Pleaded guilty to planting sarin gas on

Tokyo subway


Radovan Karadzic (psychiatrist) – on trial for war crimes against Bosnian Croats and Muslims

Dr Bilal Abdullah convicted in bungled Heathrow Airport car bombing (2007)

Psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan – awaiting trial for Fort Hood shootings (2009)

War on Terror

Doctors involved in torture, extraordinary renditions

Investigations, outcry, but no real consequences

Atomic Weapons - HistoryAtomic Weapons - History

Hiroshima, August 6, 1945Hiroshima, August 6, 1945 ““The day that humanity started taking The day that humanity started taking

its final exam” – Buckminster Fullerits final exam” – Buckminster Fuller 15 kiloton bomb, 140,000 deaths15 kiloton bomb, 140,000 deaths

Nagasaki, August 9, 1945Nagasaki, August 9, 1945 22 kiloton bomb, 70,000 casualties22 kiloton bomb, 70,000 casualties

The Hiroshima BombThe Hiroshima Bomb

Atomic ExplosionAtomic Explosion

Atomic Weapons – Other Atomic Weapons – Other VictimsVictims

Hundreds of thousands of hibakusha Hundreds of thousands of hibakusha – atomic bomb survivors– atomic bomb survivors

1054 U.S. nuclear tests since 1940s, 1054 U.S. nuclear tests since 1940s, 331 in atmosphere331 in atmosphere

Atomic Weapons – Other Atomic Weapons – Other VictimsVictims

80,000 cancers (15,000 fatal) in US 80,000 cancers (15,000 fatal) in US citizens as a result of fallout from citizens as a result of fallout from atmospheric testingatmospheric testing NCI/CDCNCI/CDC

Thousands of illnesses and deaths, Thousands of illnesses and deaths, higher CA risk in 600,000 former higher CA risk in 600,000 former employeesemployees

- DOE- DOE

Atomic Weapons TodayAtomic Weapons Today

Approximately 23,360 nuclear weapons at Approximately 23,360 nuclear weapons at 11 sites in 14 countries (1/2 active or 11 sites in 14 countries (1/2 active or operationally-deployed)operationally-deployed) Down from over 71,000 at height of Cold Down from over 71,000 at height of Cold

WarWar 5,200 active U.S. warheads today (more 5,200 active U.S. warheads today (more

than ½ on hair-trigger alert); 8,000 in Russiathan ½ on hair-trigger alert); 8,000 in Russia Several thousand megatons (100,000 Several thousand megatons (100,000

Hiroshimas)Hiroshimas)


Vastly redundant arsenalVastly redundant arsenal 150-200 weapons adequate to destroy 150-200 weapons adequate to destroy

all major urban centers in Russia all major urban centers in Russia


Accidental intermediate-sized launch Accidental intermediate-sized launch of weapons from a single Russian of weapons from a single Russian submarine would immediately kill 6.8 submarine would immediately kill 6.8 million Americans in 8 citiesmillion Americans in 8 cities

Nuclear Weapons – Oops!Nuclear Weapons – Oops!

Pentagon: 32 nuclear weapons Pentagon: 32 nuclear weapons accidents since 1950accidents since 1950

GAO: 233GAO: 233 Since 1950, 10 nuclear weapons lost Since 1950, 10 nuclear weapons lost

and never recoveredand never recovered All laying on seabed, potentially leaking All laying on seabed, potentially leaking

radioactivityradioactivity

Effects of a Nuclear Effects of a Nuclear ExplosionExplosion

Immediate:Immediate:

Vaporized by thermal radiationVaporized by thermal radiation

Crushed by blast waveCrushed by blast wave

Burned and suffocated by firestormBurned and suffocated by firestorm


Intermediate:Intermediate: Suffering, painful deathsSuffering, painful deaths Health care personnel/resources Health care personnel/resources

overwhelmedoverwhelmed FamineFamine RefugeesRefugees Devastated transportation infrastructureDevastated transportation infrastructure


Late effects:Late effects: CancerCancer Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety,

depression)depression) nuclear winter (mass starvation due to nuclear winter (mass starvation due to

disruption of agricultural, transportation, disruption of agricultural, transportation, industrial and health care systems)industrial and health care systems)

Effects of a 20 megaton Effects of a 20 megaton nuclear explosionnuclear explosion

Ground zero - 2 miles:Ground zero - 2 miles: Within 1/100 second fireball hotter than Within 1/100 second fireball hotter than

sun; everything vaporizedsun; everything vaporized

2 - 4 miles:2 - 4 miles: 25 psi pressures; 650 mph winds25 psi pressures; 650 mph winds Buildings ripped apart and leveledBuildings ripped apart and leveled


4 - 10 miles:4 - 10 miles: 7 – 10 psi; 200 mph winds7 – 10 psi; 200 mph winds Sheet metal melts; concrete buildings Sheet metal melts; concrete buildings

heavily damaged (all others leveled)heavily damaged (all others leveled) 16 miles:16 miles:

100 mph winds, firestorm, T = 1400100 mph winds, firestorm, T = 1400° C° C 100% mortality100% mortality


21 miles:21 miles: 2 psi; 100 mph winds2 psi; 100 mph winds Shattered glass, flying debriShattered glass, flying debri

29 miles:29 miles: 33° burns over all exposed skin° burns over all exposed skin

40 miles:40 miles: Retinal burns blind all who witness Retinal burns blind all who witness

explosionexplosion

Effects of a 20 megaton nuclear Effects of a 20 megaton nuclear explosion over Boston (1998 analysis)explosion over Boston (1998 analysis)

Death toll:Death toll:

1,000,000 within minutes1,000,000 within minutes

1,800,000 survivors:1,800,000 survivors: 1,100,000 fatally injured1,100,000 fatally injured 500,000 with major injuries500,000 with major injuries 200,000 without injuries200,000 without injuries

Types of InjuriesTypes of Injuries

BurnsBurns BlindingsBlindings DeafeningsDeafenings PTXPTX FxsFxs Shrapnel woundsShrapnel wounds

Radiation SicknessRadiation Sickness

Very high dose: cerebral edema, N/V/D, Very high dose: cerebral edema, N/V/D, speech and gait difficulties, convulsions, speech and gait difficulties, convulsions, coma, death within 1-2 dayscoma, death within 1-2 days

Medium doses: N/V/D Medium doses: N/V/D → resolves → → resolves → recurrent hematemesis, bloody D → recurrent hematemesis, bloody D → majority diemajority die

Low doses: BM failure, infections, Low doses: BM failure, infections, bleeding, sores, ± deathbleeding, sores, ± death

Effects on health Effects on health professionalsprofessionals

70% killed or fatally wounded70% killed or fatally wounded

15% injured15% injured

< 1000 survive< 1000 survive

Effects on health care Effects on health care systemsystem

Most major hospitals destroyedMost major hospitals destroyed EMS system debilitatedEMS system debilitated No X-ray machines, electricity, water, No X-ray machines, electricity, water,

antibiotics or other meds, antibiotics or other meds, blood/plasma, bandagesblood/plasma, bandages

2000 burn unit beds in US (100 per 2000 burn unit beds in US (100 per major city) – essentially destroyedmajor city) – essentially destroyed

Effects on Health Care Effects on Health Care SystemSystem

1500 patients/doctor1500 patients/doctor

10 min/pt10 min/pt

4 hours sleep/noc4 hours sleep/noc

2 weeks to see all injured2 weeks to see all injured

Ultimate OutcomesUltimate Outcomes

Boston (pop. 2.8 million in 1998)Boston (pop. 2.8 million in 1998)

> 2.5 million dead after one month> 2.5 million dead after one month More than 6x as many Americans as More than 6x as many Americans as

died in WW IIdied in WW II

Nuclear TerrorismNuclear Terrorism

Attack on nuclear power plant or other Attack on nuclear power plant or other nuclear installationnuclear installation

Dirty bombDirty bomb Potential tens to hundreds of thousands of Potential tens to hundreds of thousands of

deaths, billions of dollars of damage, chaosdeaths, billions of dollars of damage, chaos Numerous radiation sources left over from Cold Numerous radiation sources left over from Cold

War in post-Soviet countriesWar in post-Soviet countries Security laxSecurity lax Need to secure supplies of radioactive, bomb-Need to secure supplies of radioactive, bomb-

making isotopesmaking isotopes

Chemical WeaponsChemical Weapons

428 BC – Athenians and Spartans 428 BC – Athenians and Spartans burned wax, pitch and sulfurburned wax, pitch and sulfur

DaVinci – arsenic and sulfur shellsDaVinci – arsenic and sulfur shells WW IWW I

Italians vs. EthiopiansItalians vs. Ethiopians Japanese vs. ChineseJapanese vs. Chinese Germans vs. AlliesGermans vs. Allies

91,000 deaths and 1.3 million injuries91,000 deaths and 1.3 million injuries


Egypt vs. South Yemen (1963-7)Egypt vs. South Yemen (1963-7) Iran/Iraq War (1980s)Iran/Iraq War (1980s) Gulf War (versus Kurds, ? Others)Gulf War (versus Kurds, ? Others)

Gulf War SyndromeGulf War Syndrome 1995 Tokyo subway attack by Aum 1995 Tokyo subway attack by Aum

Shrinko cult using sarinShrinko cult using sarin 12 dead, 5000 injured or 12 dead, 5000 injured or

incapacitatedincapacitated

Types of Chemical WeaponsTypes of Chemical Weapons

Nerve gasses / paralyticsNerve gasses / paralytics E.g., sarin, VXE.g., sarin, VX

Blistering agents:Blistering agents: E.g., sulphur mustardE.g., sulphur mustard

Pulmonary toxicantsPulmonary toxicants E.g., chlorine, phosgeneE.g., chlorine, phosgene

Chemical Weapons:Chemical Weapons:Vietnam and NapalmVietnam and Napalm


1972 Biological and Toxic Weapons 1972 Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention prohibits development, Convention prohibits development, production, and stockpilingproduction, and stockpiling

US and Russian still have significant US and Russian still have significant stockpilesstockpiles

Other Chemical WeaponsOther Chemical Weapons

Tear gasTear gas Pepper sprayPepper spray Calmatives: mind-altering or sleep-Calmatives: mind-altering or sleep-

inducing weapons (benzo-, SSRI-, and inducing weapons (benzo-, SSRI-, and anesthetic derivatives)anesthetic derivatives)

Cramp-inducing agentsCramp-inducing agents Stink bombsStink bombs

Biological Weapons - HistoryBiological Weapons - History

Sixth Century BC: Assyrians poison wells Sixth Century BC: Assyrians poison wells with rye ergotwith rye ergot

300 BC: Greeks pollute wells300 BC: Greeks pollute wells Later: Romans and Persians, Classical, Later: Romans and Persians, Classical,

Medieval and Renaissance periods, US Medieval and Renaissance periods, US Civil War (General Johnson at Vicksburg)Civil War (General Johnson at Vicksburg)

1414thth Century: Tatars catapulting plague- Century: Tatars catapulting plague-infested corpsesinfested corpses

Biological Weapons - HistoryBiological Weapons - History

Sir Jeffrey Amherst (French and Sir Jeffrey Amherst (French and Indian Wars - smallpox): “You would Indian Wars - smallpox): “You would do well to try to inoculate the do well to try to inoculate the Indians, by means of blankets, … to Indians, by means of blankets, … to extirpate this execrable race”extirpate this execrable race”

WW I: Cholera, plague, glanders, WW I: Cholera, plague, glanders, anthraxanthrax

Biological Weapons – WW IIBiological Weapons – WW II

Unit 731, Manchuria, Shiro IshiiUnit 731, Manchuria, Shiro Ishii

British “Operation Vegetarian” British “Operation Vegetarian” (anthrax cakes / Germany)(anthrax cakes / Germany)

Biological Weapons TodayBiological Weapons Today

17 countries possess (+ Al Qaeda?)17 countries possess (+ Al Qaeda?) US role in supplying other nations:US role in supplying other nations:

e.g., 1985-1989: US companies sold to e.g., 1985-1989: US companies sold to Iraq:Iraq:

Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum, Histoplasma capsulatum, Brucella melitensis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Brucella melitensis, Clostsridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani, Clostsridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani, and E. coliand E. coli

Despite evidence of use of chemical weapons Despite evidence of use of chemical weapons against Kurdsagainst Kurds

Biological Weapons TodayBiological Weapons Today

1972 Biological Weapons Protocol: signed 1972 Biological Weapons Protocol: signed by 158 nationsby 158 nations

Lacks adequate enforcement Lacks adequate enforcement mechanismsmechanisms

US has rejected enforcement (wary of US has rejected enforcement (wary of foreign inspectors discovering military foreign inspectors discovering military secrets and/or trade secrets of secrets and/or trade secrets of biotechnology and pharmaceutical biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies)companies)

Biological Weapons - AgentsBiological Weapons - Agents

AnthraxAnthrax BrucellosisBrucellosis CholeraCholera

GlandersGlanders Pneumonic plaguePneumonic plague

TularemiaTularemia Q FeverQ Fever SmallpoxSmallpox

Venezuelan Equine EncephalitisVenezuelan Equine Encephalitis

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (e.g., Ebola)Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (e.g., Ebola)

BotulismBotulism Staph enterotoxin BStaph enterotoxin B

RicinRicin MycxotoxinsMycxotoxins

Anthrax – The BandAnthrax – The Band

Other WMDsOther WMDs

Small armsSmall arms Land minesLand mines Cluster bombsCluster bombs

Multiple non-lethal wmds (weapons Multiple non-lethal wmds (weapons of mass disruption) proposed and of mass disruption) proposed and under developmentunder development

Health Care System Health Care System Preparedness for Weapons of Preparedness for Weapons of

Mass DestructionMass Destruction Congressional panel estimates Congressional panel estimates > >

50% chance of terrorist act involving 50% chance of terrorist act involving WMDs by 2013WMDs by 2013

ERs/hospital systems inadequately ERs/hospital systems inadequately preparedprepared

Funds lowFunds low

Costs of MilitarizationCosts of Militarization

US: over ½ of discretionary tax dollars US: over ½ of discretionary tax dollars spent on the militaryspent on the military

US military budget represents 43% of total US military budget represents 43% of total world military budget ($1.5 trillion in 2009)world military budget ($1.5 trillion in 2009)

Increased spending on nuclear weaponsIncreased spending on nuclear weapons Inadequate spending to prevent the Inadequate spending to prevent the

spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear weaponsweapons

2009 Federal Budget2009 Federal Budget$2.65 trillion$2.65 trillion

Missile Defense ShieldMissile Defense ShieldThe Militarization of SpaceThe Militarization of Space

Star Wars program proceeding, Star Wars program proceeding, despite:despite: Astronomical cost – est. $100 billionAstronomical cost – est. $100 billion Strong opposition by scientific communityStrong opposition by scientific community Spectacular failures in 2/4 tests, despite Spectacular failures in 2/4 tests, despite

highly structured conditionshighly structured conditions Abandonment of ABM Treaty by Bush Abandonment of ABM Treaty by Bush

administrationadministration

Missile Defense ShieldMissile Defense ShieldThe Militarization of SpaceThe Militarization of Space

““Shield” or very porous umbrellaShield” or very porous umbrella Easily overwhelmed and fooled by Easily overwhelmed and fooled by

inexpensive decoysinexpensive decoys No protection against internal No protection against internal

accidents or terrorists bringing accidents or terrorists bringing weapon onto US soil or “dirty bomb”weapon onto US soil or “dirty bomb”

Proposed use of moon for spy Proposed use of moon for spy observatories and weaponsobservatories and weapons

Dwight EisenhowerDwight Eisenhower

““The problem in defense spending is to The problem in defense spending is to figure out how far you should go figure out how far you should go without destroying from within that without destroying from within that which you are trying to protect from which you are trying to protect from without”without”

Meanwhile...Meanwhile...Social Injustices AboundSocial Injustices Abound

51 million Americans lack health insurance51 million Americans lack health insurance 25% of US children live in poverty25% of US children live in poverty Homelessness, public educational system Homelessness, public educational system

a shambles, increasing jail populations, a shambles, increasing jail populations, AIDS, etc.AIDS, etc.

Mass extinction, global warmingMass extinction, global warming 2.5 billion people worldwide live in abject 2.5 billion people worldwide live in abject

poverty (earn less than $500 per year, poverty (earn less than $500 per year, lack access to clean drinking water)lack access to clean drinking water)

Environmental Consequences Environmental Consequences of Militarizationof Militarization

World’s single largest polluterWorld’s single largest polluter

8% of global air pollution8% of global air pollution

2-11% of raw material use2-11% of raw material use

Almost all high and low level radioactive Almost all high and low level radioactive wastewaste

The US MilitaryThe US Military

Owns an amount of land equal to Owns an amount of land equal to North Korea or Kentucky (25 million North Korea or Kentucky (25 million acres)acres)

Much of it pollutedMuch of it polluted Cleanup cost estimates in the hundreds Cleanup cost estimates in the hundreds

of billionsof billions

Health Costs of Health Costs of MilitarizationMilitarization

3 hours of world arms spending = 3 hours of world arms spending = annual WHO budgetannual WHO budget

½ day of world arms spending = ½ day of world arms spending = immunization for all the world’s childrenimmunization for all the world’s children

3 days of US arms spending = amount 3 days of US arms spending = amount spent on health, education and welfare spent on health, education and welfare programs for US children in one yearprograms for US children in one year

Health Costs of Health Costs of MilitarizationMilitarization

3 weeks of world arms spending = 3 weeks of world arms spending = primary health care for all in poor primary health care for all in poor countries, including safe drinking countries, including safe drinking water and full immunizationswater and full immunizations

Brain drain: 2/3 of US scientists work Brain drain: 2/3 of US scientists work in military-industrial complexin military-industrial complex

Skewed PrioritiesSkewed Priorities

The world spends $1.6 trillion/year The world spends $1.6 trillion/year on military goods and serviceson military goods and services

For 25% of this, we could:For 25% of this, we could: Eliminate starvation and malnutritionEliminate starvation and malnutrition Provide shelter for allProvide shelter for all Eliminate illiteracyEliminate illiteracy Provide clean and safe waterProvide clean and safe water Prevent soil erosionPrevent soil erosion


Prevent global warmingPrevent global warming Stop deforestationStop deforestation Aid all refugeesAid all refugees Retire developing nations’ debtRetire developing nations’ debt Provide clean, safe energy (through Provide clean, safe energy (through

efficiency and renewables)efficiency and renewables)


Prevent acid rainPrevent acid rain Fix the ozone holeFix the ozone hole Stabilize world populationStabilize world population Provide basic universal health care and Provide basic universal health care and

AIDS controlAIDS control Eliminate nuclear weapons and land Eliminate nuclear weapons and land

minesmines


““Every gun that is made, every rocket Every gun that is made, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not not fed, those who are cold and not clothed”clothed”


““This world is not spending money This world is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”iron.”

Martin Luther KingMartin Luther King

““A nation that continues year after A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”death.”

Military SpendingMilitary Spending

US: ½ of discretionary tax dollars US: ½ of discretionary tax dollars spent on the militaryspent on the military

US military budget represents 34% of US military budget represents 34% of total world military budget ($1.5 total world military budget ($1.5 trillion in 2009)trillion in 2009)

Iraq War costs could reach $2-3 Iraq War costs could reach $2-3 trilliontrillion

Arms ExportsArms Exports


Arms ImportsArms Imports


Economic Cost of War, U.S.Economic Cost of War, U.S.

US Foreign AidUS Foreign Aid

US ranks 21US ranks 21stst in the world in foreign in the world in foreign aid as a percentage of GDP (0.7%, aid as a percentage of GDP (0.7%, versus UN recommended 0.15%)versus UN recommended 0.15%)

Foreign Aid:Foreign Aid: 1/3 military1/3 military 1/3 economic1/3 economic 1/3 food and development1/3 food and development

US world’s second largest arms US world’s second largest arms exporterexporter

Top Pentagon Prime Top Pentagon Prime Contractors Contractors

Fiscal Year 2009Fiscal Year 2009 Lockheed Martin Corp.Lockheed Martin Corp. Northrop Grumman Corp.Northrop Grumman Corp. Boeing Corp.Boeing Corp. Raytheon Corp.Raytheon Corp. General Dynamics Corp.General Dynamics Corp. KBR, Inc.KBR, Inc.

September 11, 2001September 11, 2001

World Trade Center World Trade Center BombingBombing

3300 fatalities - foreign nationals 3300 fatalities - foreign nationals outnumbered Americansoutnumbered Americans

Environmental health consequences Environmental health consequences unknown:unknown: 300-400 tons asbestos300-400 tons asbestos 130,000 gallons of transformer oil 130,000 gallons of transformer oil

contaminated with PCBScontaminated with PCBS Lead, sulfuric acid, siliconLead, sulfuric acid, silicon Fine dust particlesFine dust particles

September 11, 2001September 11, 2001

Pentagon: 286 Pentagon: 286 casualtiescasualties

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania: approximately 100 approximately 100 casualtiescasualties

The War on TerrorThe War on Terror(The War on Afghanistan, Iraq, and (The War on Afghanistan, Iraq, and

?)?)

“May last 50 or more years” – Dick Cheney

What goes around comes What goes around comes aroundaround

1980s: CIA arms Afghan rebels with 1980s: CIA arms Afghan rebels with hundreds of Stinger missileshundreds of Stinger missiles

Late 2002: Terrorists using a similar Late 2002: Terrorists using a similar Russian-made version of Stinger almost Russian-made version of Stinger almost bring down Israeli passenger airline over bring down Israeli passenger airline over KenyaKenya

CIA trying to buy back, but most CIA trying to buy back, but most unaccounted forunaccounted for Can shoot down a plane at up 6000-8000 feetCan shoot down a plane at up 6000-8000 feet 24 diverted to Iran24 diverted to Iran

Before Gulf War IBefore Gulf War I

US sells weapons to Iraq/HusseinUS sells weapons to Iraq/Hussein Including components to produce WMDsIncluding components to produce WMDs

Rumsfeld visits Baghdad to promote Rumsfeld visits Baghdad to promote US weapons salesUS weapons sales

US minimally perturbed when US minimally perturbed when Hussein gasses 4000 Kurds, Hussein gasses 4000 Kurds, torpedoes US naval vesseltorpedoes US naval vessel

Gulf War IGulf War I

105,000 military and 110,000 civilian 105,000 military and 110,000 civilian deaths (almost all Iraqis)deaths (almost all Iraqis) Over 2.25 million refugeesOver 2.25 million refugees

2/3 of US casualties from “friendly fire”2/3 of US casualties from “friendly fire” Cost $61 billionCost $61 billion US pays only 1/6 of cost (most from Saudi US pays only 1/6 of cost (most from Saudi

Arabia, Kuwait, Germany and Japan)Arabia, Kuwait, Germany and Japan) Environmental devastationEnvironmental devastation

$48 billion in claims to UN$48 billion in claims to UN

Kuwaiti Oil FiresKuwaiti Oil Fires

Gulf War IIGulf War II

Approximately 4,500 U.S. military Approximately 4,500 U.S. military deaths, over 40,000 injuries (2010)deaths, over 40,000 injuries (2010) Traumatic brain injuries commonTraumatic brain injuries common

Over 100,000 civilian deaths (Iraq)Over 100,000 civilian deaths (Iraq) Over 2,400 civilian deaths Over 2,400 civilian deaths

(Afghanistan, 2009 alone)(Afghanistan, 2009 alone) Massive humanitarian crisisMassive humanitarian crisis

Gulf War IIGulf War II

Financial cost of war to U.S.: $2-3 trillion Financial cost of war to U.S.: $2-3 trillion (est.)(est.) Includes fighting, rebuilding, veterans’ health care, Includes fighting, rebuilding, veterans’ health care,

economic losses, etc.economic losses, etc. In addition, global travel industry expected to lose In addition, global travel industry expected to lose

over $500 billionover $500 billion Costs to Iraq and AfghanistanCosts to Iraq and Afghanistan Distraction from North Korea, other threatsDistraction from North Korea, other threats Shock and awe battle plan: targeting Shock and awe battle plan: targeting

infrastructure explicitly prohibited by the infrastructure explicitly prohibited by the Geneva ConventionsGeneva Conventions

Gulf War II - Iraq

96% of of the $9.1 billion allocated to the Development Fund for Iraq unaccounted for Special Inspector General for Iraq

Reconstruction, 2010 Ongoing audit of another $53 billion

fund ongoing, but has already uncovered numerous instances of waste, fraud, and abuse

US Nuclear Weapons PoliciesUS Nuclear Weapons PoliciesUnder GW BushUnder GW Bush

Nuclear Posture Review – expands scope Nuclear Posture Review – expands scope of use of nuclear weapons, including first-of use of nuclear weapons, including first-strike against non-nuclear statesstrike against non-nuclear states

Withdrawal from ABM TreatyWithdrawal from ABM Treaty Boycotted Comprehensive Nuclear Test Boycotted Comprehensive Nuclear Test

Ban Treaty ConferenceBan Treaty Conference Budgeted money to resume nuclear Budgeted money to resume nuclear

testing and developmenttesting and development Possible use of nuclear-powered predator Possible use of nuclear-powered predator

dronesdrones

U.S. Nuclear Policy Under Obama

New START treaty signed by Obama, PutinApproved by US SenateAwaiting ratification by Russian Federation Assembly

Will decrease warheads by 2/3

Phillip BerriganPhillip Berrigan

““Nuclear weapons are the scourge of Nuclear weapons are the scourge of the earth; to mine for them, the earth; to mine for them, manufacture them, deploy them, manufacture them, deploy them, use them, is a curse against God, use them, is a curse against God, the human family, and the earth the human family, and the earth itself.”itself.”

Disturbing Trends:Disturbing Trends:The “Patriot Bill”The “Patriot Bill”

Passed with minimal debate, most Passed with minimal debate, most Congresspersons acknowledge not readingCongresspersons acknowledge not reading

Increased governmental and corporate Increased governmental and corporate secrecy – polluters subject to decreased public secrecy – polluters subject to decreased public scrutinyscrutiny

Erosion of civil liberties – deportations, Erosion of civil liberties – deportations, accused held without charge/access to legal accused held without charge/access to legal counselcounsel

70,000 individuals on government’s list of 70,000 individuals on government’s list of suspected terroristssuspected terrorists

Disturbing Trends:Disturbing Trends:The Homeland Security AgencyThe Homeland Security Agency

The HSA absorbs two dozen The HSA absorbs two dozen agencies, 170,000 employees, $38 agencies, 170,000 employees, $38 billion budgetbillion budget TIPS program (citizen spying program)TIPS program (citizen spying program) Total Information Awareness System Total Information Awareness System

(Poindexter)(Poindexter) Paranoia: alert levels, duct tape and Paranoia: alert levels, duct tape and

plastic sheetingplastic sheeting

Special Interest Provisions in Special Interest Provisions in the Homeland Security Lawthe Homeland Security Law

Vaccine liability protection (incl. existing Vaccine liability protection (incl. existing thimersol lawsuits) – Eli Lillythimersol lawsuits) – Eli Lilly

US corporations setting up offshore US corporations setting up offshore business fronts to avoid paying taxes business fronts to avoid paying taxes allowed to contract with HSDallowed to contract with HSD

US government prohibited from publicly US government prohibited from publicly releasing information related to releasing information related to “vulnerabilities” – incl. safety of nuclear “vulnerabilities” – incl. safety of nuclear reactors, environmental toxins, etcreactors, environmental toxins, etc

Special Interest Provisions in Special Interest Provisions in the Homeland Security Lawthe Homeland Security Law

Immunity from liability for manufacturers Immunity from liability for manufacturers of anti-terrorism products and technologiesof anti-terrorism products and technologies Army investigations show 60-90% of soldiers’ Army investigations show 60-90% of soldiers’

CBW protective gear malfunctionsCBW protective gear malfunctions Liability protection for airport screening Liability protection for airport screening

companiescompanies Secret advisory meetings with industry Secret advisory meetings with industry

permitted, even if meeting not related to permitted, even if meeting not related to national securitynational security C.f. Cheney’s Energy CommissionC.f. Cheney’s Energy Commission

Disturbing Trends:Disturbing Trends:Censorship and PropagandaCensorship and Propaganda

““No Child Left Behind” Education Act No Child Left Behind” Education Act contains amendment requiring that contains amendment requiring that all public schools allow recruiters in all public schools allow recruiters in their buildings and provide military their buildings and provide military with contact numbers and addresses with contact numbers and addresses for all studentsfor all students Parents can opt outParents can opt out

21st Century McCarthyism21st Century McCarthyism WickileaksWickileaks

Disturbing TrendsDisturbing Trends

Hate crimes, intoleranceHate crimes, intolerance

Media jingoism:Media jingoism:

Army to ignore FDA safety standards in Army to ignore FDA safety standards in experiments on soldiers (legacy of 20experiments on soldiers (legacy of 20thth Century crimes)Century crimes)

Disturbing TrendsDisturbing Trends

Federal BudgetFederal Budget

2000: surplus = $5.6 trillion2000: surplus = $5.6 trillion

2003: deficit = $2.1 trillion2003: deficit = $2.1 trillion

2010: deficit = $1.3 trillion2010: deficit = $1.3 trillion

The US: Rogue NationThe US: Rogue Nation

History: Native Americans, slavery, History: Native Americans, slavery, current excesses, disparities and current excesses, disparities and injusticesinjustices

Minimum 277 troop deployments by Minimum 277 troop deployments by the US in its 225+ year historythe US in its 225+ year history


Since the end of WWII, the US has Since the end of WWII, the US has bombed:bombed: China, Korea, Indonesia, Cuba, China, Korea, Indonesia, Cuba,

Guatemala, Congo, Peru, Vietnam, Guatemala, Congo, Peru, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Nicaragua, El Laos, Cambodia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Grenada, Libya, Panama, Salvador, Grenada, Libya, Panama, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yugoslavia, and Iraqand Iraq


Conservative estimate = 8 Conservative estimate = 8 million killedmillion killed

US invasions/bombings often US invasions/bombings often largely at behest of corporate largely at behest of corporate interestsinterests


In 2009, the US spent about $2,210 In 2009, the US spent about $2,210 per US citizen on defenseper US citizen on defense vs. a few dollars per capita on vs. a few dollars per capita on

peacekeeping effortspeacekeeping efforts The US maintains military bases in The US maintains military bases in

69 “sovereign” nations around the 69 “sovereign” nations around the worldworld


Continued funding of the Western Continued funding of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Hemisphere Institute for Security CooperationCooperation Formerly the School of the AmericasFormerly the School of the Americas Over 60,000 graduates, including many of Over 60,000 graduates, including many of

the worst human rights abusers in Latin the worst human rights abusers in Latin America (e.g., Manuel Noriega, Omar America (e.g., Manuel Noriega, Omar Torrijos, and the assassins of Archbishop Torrijos, and the assassins of Archbishop Oscar Romero)Oscar Romero)

School of the Americas Watch, arrestsSchool of the Americas Watch, arrests

International International Non-Cooperation/IsolationismNon-Cooperation/Isolationism

Failure to sign or approve:Failure to sign or approve: Kyoto Protocol on Climate ChangeKyoto Protocol on Climate Change Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-

Personnel Land MinesPersonnel Land Mines Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban TreatyComprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty


Failure to sign or approve:Failure to sign or approve: Convention on the Rights of the ChildConvention on the Rights of the Child Convention on the Elimination of Convention on the Elimination of

Discrimination Against Women Discrimination Against Women Convention on Economic, Social and Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural RightsCultural Rights

Convention for the Suppression of Traffic Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Personsin Persons


Failure to sign or approve:Failure to sign or approve: Protocol 1, Article 55 of the Geneva Protocol 1, Article 55 of the Geneva

Conventions, which bans methods or means of Conventions, which bans methods or means of warfare which are intended, or may be warfare which are intended, or may be expected, to cause widespread, long-term and expected, to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environmentsevere damage to the natural environment

The Basel Convention on the Control of The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes (designed to control dumping of hazardous (designed to control dumping of hazardous wastes from the industrialized world in wastes from the industrialized world in developing countries)developing countries)


Death Penalty:Death Penalty: US executes more of its citizens than any other US executes more of its citizens than any other

country except China, Iran, and Saudi Arabiacountry except China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia Until recently, the US was the only country to Until recently, the US was the only country to

execute both juveniles and the mentally illexecute both juveniles and the mentally ill Failure to follow World Court DecisionsFailure to follow World Court Decisions Failure to recognize International Criminal Failure to recognize International Criminal

CourtCourt Largest debtor to the UN (only 40% of dues Largest debtor to the UN (only 40% of dues

paid)paid)

SolutionsSolutions

Physician activism Physician activism (PSR, IPPNW, etc.)(PSR, IPPNW, etc.)

Increased education: Increased education: public, medical and public, medical and public health studentspublic health students

Tolerance and Tolerance and appreciation of appreciation of diversitydiversity

Conservation measuresConservation measures Assist victims of war Assist victims of war

(PHR, MSF, etc.)(PHR, MSF, etc.)

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

““Nothing can keep (government) Nothing can keep (government) right but (the people’s) vigilant and right but (the people’s) vigilant and distrustful superintendence”distrustful superintendence”

The role of the doctor in The role of the doctor in societysociety

World Health Organization:World Health Organization: ““The role of the physician … in The role of the physician … in

the preservation and promotion the preservation and promotion of peace is the most significant of peace is the most significant factor for the attainment of factor for the attainment of health for all.”health for all.”

Contact InformationContact Information

Public Health and Social Justice Public Health and Social Justice WebsiteWebsite

http://[email protected]

http://www.phsj.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Consequences of War and Militarism Martin Donohoe.

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