Warriors Running Defense, National and Homeland Security Assure No End of US Phony War on Terror

by Stephen Lendman

So-called Israeli/Palestinian peace talks and America's global war on terror are the two greatest hoaxes in modern times. 

Washington's scheme is all about advancing its hegemonic agenda, benefitting privileged interests at the expense of most others, along with replacing fundamental freedoms with police state rule - tyranny by any standard.

Trump so far seems bent on continuing deplorable policies of his predecessors, wanting a more muscular military, a stronger nuclear capability, increased use of combat troops in US war theaters, greater domestic police state toughness, mass deportations of unwanted people, and who knows what else.

Instead of draining the swamp, he's filling it. Putting generals in charge of key defense and national security posts is cause for alarm. Warriors earned stars by being hawks, not doves, benefitting from endless wars of aggression, hostile toward peace and stability.

Unknown numbers of US special forces operate in northern Syria illegally, aiding anti-government terrorists. Reports indicate Trump may deploy conventional forces - escalating conflict, not defusing it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called sending US combat troops to Syria "a recipe" for fueling greater conflict, adding:

"The same people who armed ISIS, armed (other) terrorist groups, were the same people who armed Saddam Hussein (in the 1980s), were the same people who created and armed al-Qaeda."

"We should not continue to repeat history and then blame people who were on the right side."

It's unclear if Washington intends participating in Syria peace talks, a new round beginning in Geneva on Thursday. US commitment for peace is essential to have any hope for achieving it.

Last Sunday, UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura questioned Washington's role in resolving the conflict, asking "(w)here is the US in all this? I can't tell you because I don't know."

US combat troops are on the front lines of conflict in Syria and Iraq - on the phony pretext of combating terrorism, elements America created and supports.

Saudi Arabia said it's ready to send troops to Syria, according to its foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir, saying consultations were held with Washington regarding joint operations.

Other Gulf countries are "ready to allocate forces to fight on the US side," he added - with no further elaboration.

These nations actively support ISIS and other terrorist groups. They're part of the problem, not the solution. Their involvement would assure escalated war, not resolving it diplomatically.

Upcoming Geneva talks look shaky, Jubeir saying they're to agree on establishing a "new Syria without Assad."

It's unclear where Trump stands on this other than wanting US combat troops involved and illegal safe zones established Damascus rejects. So does Russia without Assad's authorization, not forthcoming.

At home, Trump's executive orders on "fight(ing) crime, gangs, and drugs; restor(ing) law and order; and support(ing) the dedicated men and women of law enforcement" sound ominously like increasing police state toughness.

US communities may become more battlegrounds than already. His mass deportations scheme leaves millions of immigrants vulnerable.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have sweeping authority to round up, detain and deport aliens for being in America illegally, abusing public benefits, or committing offenses as minor as traffic violations.

Latinos are most vulnerable. So are Haitian asylum-seekers and immigrants, Institute for Democracy & Justice in Haiti director Brian Concannon explained. Hundreds are being deported weekly, their fundamental rights violated.

In office less than five weeks in office, Trump's agenda looks different from his predecessors largely in style, not substance. Dirty business as usual appears safe in his hands.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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