WarWar

The Art of Deception

Hiding the Grisly True Goals Behind Lofty Ideals

The Art of Deception

Hiding the Grisly True Goals Behind Lofty Ideals

History RepeatsHistory Repeats

Colonial powers attempt to exploit a nation.

The population resists, and a popular, anti-West leader emerges.

This leader attempts to improve the conditions of the people.

The Western nations, being pushed out of capitalist markets, foster rebellion to regain access to resources and markets.

The Western nations tend to support right-wing extremist groups.

Repression of the population leads to further civil conflict.

Colonial powers attempt to exploit a nation.

The population resists, and a popular, anti-West leader emerges.

This leader attempts to improve the conditions of the people.

The Western nations, being pushed out of capitalist markets, foster rebellion to regain access to resources and markets.

The Western nations tend to support right-wing extremist groups.

Repression of the population leads to further civil conflict.

PanamaPanama Manuel Noriega used to fight

“communism”

Known for drug connections

Noriega loses supporters to Iran-Contra scandal

US soldiers “attacked”

Invasion in December 1989 kills 3,000 civilians or more

Government officials supporting US economic goals installed

Manuel Noriega used to fight “communism”

Known for drug connections

Noriega loses supporters to Iran-Contra scandal

US soldiers “attacked”

Invasion in December 1989 kills 3,000 civilians or more

Government officials supporting US economic goals installed

AfghanistanAfghanistan

Country suffered poverty

In the 1970’s, a populist rebellion occurred

US supported mujahedeen against populist government

Eventually mujahedeen succeeds, temporarily, before being replaced by Taliban

Taliban are even more conservative extremist than mujahedeen

US gives Afghanistan $43 mil in aid during UN sanctions.

Country suffered poverty

In the 1970’s, a populist rebellion occurred

US supported mujahedeen against populist government

Eventually mujahedeen succeeds, temporarily, before being replaced by Taliban

Taliban are even more conservative extremist than mujahedeen

US gives Afghanistan $43 mil in aid during UN sanctions.

Contradictory Policy?Contradictory Policy?

Bush Decides to Keep Afghan Sanctions - July 3, 2001http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?

res=9E04E2DC1139F930A35754C0A9679C8B63

Taliban's Ban On Poppy A Success, U.S. Aides Say - May 20, 2001http://select.nytimes.com/search/

restricted/article?res=F00C12F63D590C738EDDAC0894D9404482

Bush Decides to Keep Afghan Sanctions - July 3, 2001http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?

res=9E04E2DC1139F930A35754C0A9679C8B63

Taliban's Ban On Poppy A Success, U.S. Aides Say - May 20, 2001http://select.nytimes.com/search/

restricted/article?res=F00C12F63D590C738EDDAC0894D9404482

Iraq 1991Iraq 1991 We supported Saddam in the war against Iran.

We supported Saddam in his repression of the Kurds.

We provided military support that included Chemical weapons Helicopters with crop spraying equipment for use

with chemical weapons Nuclear technology Advances in missile technology

Kuwait was slant drilling into Iraqi territory.

Saddam made his intentions clear.

We supported Saddam in the war against Iran.

We supported Saddam in his repression of the Kurds.

We provided military support that included Chemical weapons Helicopters with crop spraying equipment for use

with chemical weapons Nuclear technology Advances in missile technology

Kuwait was slant drilling into Iraqi territory.

Saddam made his intentions clear.

Justification by DeceptionJustification by Deception

Gulf of Tonkin - Vietnam

Shooting unarmed US personnel - Panama

Soviet Migs - Nicaragua

Babies and Incubators - Iraq 1991

Genocide - Yugoslavia

WMD’s and al-Qaida - Iraq 2003

Gulf of Tonkin - Vietnam

Shooting unarmed US personnel - Panama

Soviet Migs - Nicaragua

Babies and Incubators - Iraq 1991

Genocide - Yugoslavia

WMD’s and al-Qaida - Iraq 2003

Iraq: Voices from the StreetsIraq: Voices from the Streets

Do the Iraqi’s want “liberation” from Saddam Hussein?

Do they want the US to invade Iraq?

What will they do if the US invades?

Do the Iraqi’s want “liberation” from Saddam Hussein?

Do they want the US to invade Iraq?

What will they do if the US invades?

Pretexts for WarPretexts for War

Democracy

Freedom

Liberation from Tyranny

Democracy

Freedom

Liberation from Tyranny

What are the real reasons?What are the real reasons?

Economic stabilityFor the USFor multinational corporations

(primarily US)

Political-Military influence/control of the region

Economic stabilityFor the USFor multinational corporations

(primarily US)

Political-Military influence/control of the region

Architects of DisasterArchitects of Disaster

William Kristol

Part of Neo-Conservative movement

Interview with NPR on April 1, 2003

Second Iraq War started March 20, 2003

William Kristol

Part of Neo-Conservative movement

Interview with NPR on April 1, 2003

Second Iraq War started March 20, 2003

What is the state of the insurgency?

What is the state of the insurgency?

Like many regions that are plagued with high unemployment, low security and rampant poverty, people are easily swayed by extremists.

Look at the immigration debate in the US - the poor, working class tend to be most antagonistic.

Lack of clean water, electricity and jobs, Abu Ghraib, car bombings, civilian casualties

All of these issues provide fodder for extremist groups, some of which participate

Like many regions that are plagued with high unemployment, low security and rampant poverty, people are easily swayed by extremists.

Look at the immigration debate in the US - the poor, working class tend to be most antagonistic.

Lack of clean water, electricity and jobs, Abu Ghraib, car bombings, civilian casualties

All of these issues provide fodder for extremist groups, some of which participate

Incompetence or Deceit?Incompetence or Deceit?

Iraqis have different culture than US

“Pop Sociology” that there will be conflicts between Shia and Sunni

Fractious, Semi-democracy better than Saddam

Iraq War will be good for the Middle East

Iraqis have different culture than US

“Pop Sociology” that there will be conflicts between Shia and Sunni

Fractious, Semi-democracy better than Saddam

Iraq War will be good for the Middle East

Kristol - Iraqis have a “different culture”?

Kristol - Iraqis have a “different culture”?

Is it really the culture causing the conflict?

Why are people upset?

How “Western” was Iraq prior to 1991 compared to neighboring states like Saudi Arabia and Iran?

Is it really the culture causing the conflict?

Why are people upset?

How “Western” was Iraq prior to 1991 compared to neighboring states like Saudi Arabia and Iran?

Kristol - Potential conflict between Shiite and Sunni is

“pop sociology”?

Kristol - Potential conflict between Shiite and Sunni is

“pop sociology”?“they will not meekly surrender to the

imminent American-led military occupation of their country. And that fact itself carries grave consequences for American imperialism's broader designs.”

“You will also see that Iraq will not be allowed to “balkanize” in order to keep the Shiites and the Kurds from gaining too much control.” April 14, 2003

“they will not meekly surrender to the imminent American-led military occupation of their country. And that fact itself carries grave consequences for American imperialism's broader designs.”

“You will also see that Iraq will not be allowed to “balkanize” in order to keep the Shiites and the Kurds from gaining too much control.” April 14, 2003

Kristol - Iraq will be an “unbelievable improvement”?

Kristol - Iraq will be an “unbelievable improvement”?

Deaths under Hussein chemical attacks - 30,000 Iraqi and Iranian deaths 250,000 people were killed during the 1991 uprisings

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/20030404-1.html

Deaths as a result of sanctions and destruction of Iraqi infrastructure 1991-2003 1 million, 500,000 were children

Deaths since the invasion Approximately 650,000

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1016-20.htm

Deaths under Hussein chemical attacks - 30,000 Iraqi and Iranian deaths 250,000 people were killed during the 1991 uprisings

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/20030404-1.html

Deaths as a result of sanctions and destruction of Iraqi infrastructure 1991-2003 1 million, 500,000 were children

Deaths since the invasion Approximately 650,000

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1016-20.htm

Kristol - “Good effect elsewhere in the Middle East”?

Kristol - “Good effect elsewhere in the Middle East”?Palestinian Landslide: The Elections; Hamas

Routs Ruling Faction, Casting Pall On Peace Process

http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F10B1EFA3A5B0C748EDDA80894DE404482

Occupation Made World Less Safe, Pro-War Institute“The assessment, by the International Institute of

Strategic Studies (IISS), states that the occupation has become "a potent global recruitment pretext" for al-Qa'ida, which now has more than 18,000 militants ready to strike Western targets.”

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0526-05.htm

Palestinian Landslide: The Elections; Hamas Routs Ruling Faction, Casting Pall On Peace Process

http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F10B1EFA3A5B0C748EDDA80894DE404482

Occupation Made World Less Safe, Pro-War Institute“The assessment, by the International Institute of

Strategic Studies (IISS), states that the occupation has become "a potent global recruitment pretext" for al-Qa'ida, which now has more than 18,000 militants ready to strike Western targets.”

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0526-05.htm

The Big QuestionThe Big Question

Are the neo-conservatives who led the charge to war:

Thoroughly incompetent and short-sighted?

Sadistic murderous opportunists for global economic goals?

Deceitful war-mongers to protect US political-military objectives?

A combination of the above?

Are the neo-conservatives who led the charge to war:

Thoroughly incompetent and short-sighted?

Sadistic murderous opportunists for global economic goals?

Deceitful war-mongers to protect US political-military objectives?

A combination of the above?