Just talking about stuff. Response friends’ post on Facebook, slightly edited.
THE usual words of many ex-soldiers or current soldiers in the U.S. when they talk of their “tour of duty” in war: "We fought in (Afghanistan etcetera) to keep Americans safe." They carry the valiant declaration as "badge of honor." They really believe those words deeply. By pummeling other countries to destruction and deaths, they “protect” America. When you tell them that they actually protect American corporations' interests and geopolitical narcissism (which go hand in hand), they'd get angry. Never in their mind as well that for every civilian abroad that they take out, another prospective terrorist is recruited, and that would endanger Americans more.
Many soldiers that I know came home with PTSD, many are homeless drunks and incoherent junkies, walking-dead in denial, rotting in guilt. Yet Washington (and the European Union) never see/s all these. Western powers continue to waste taxpayer money on military aid and "defense" budget so its giant 1 Percent corporations will continue to rule the world. (Which, of course, they did for centuries till the 21st.)
FOR a start, per Ukraine war (which President Joe Biden goaded) the U.S. is now #1 natural gas exporter. It was Russia before the invasion in February 2022. Thing is, I believe, Russia doesn't really care if it is #2 or #3 as long as BRICS bros China and India buy from Gazprom Moscow. And so American energy giantsnow run Kyiv's Naftogaz as pawned by Volodymyr Zelensky.
Meanwhile, I incessantly wondered out loud: What power really pushed Oct 7 to happen? Before that day, Mideast powers Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and UAE (+ Ethiopia and Argentina) were set to join BRICS. Saudi Arabia and Iran shook hands on China's intercession. Syria was taken back by the Arab League. And Israel was set to sit with Saudi Arabia to discuss peace.
In fact, Israel even ignored Mr Biden's call to send arms or military aid to Ukraine. Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah et al are known Iran "foot soldiers" so it's no brainer. Rail Iran, war is back. “Arms for oil" has always been the crux of the West’s bilateral deals with oil-rich Arab nations since discovery of oil in the desert in the 1940s (and Israel's birth in 1948). But since the Arab Spring of 2011, Arab nations have been wanting to run their life and trade with less Washington and Brussels interference. Hence "arms for oil" lost traction. Should be.
This now-super rich region of MENA has been diversifying business so war isn't needed. Golf in Riyadh, fashion shows in Abu Dhabi, car races in Dubai, concerts in Qatar etc etcetera. Then war happened. President Biden though was unsuccessful in goading China over Taiwan in South China Sea but you know that story isn't done yet. ☮️☮️☮️
