SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
The Military Fat-Cat Complex. (OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib)
Cashing In on the ISIS Crisis
No matter how pointless these wars prove, America’s military-industrial complex makes a killing.
Nov 19, 2014
Maybe you think the U.S. air war on the Islamic State is a fine plan. Maybe you don't. Either way, have you considered how little Washington's latest military foray in the Middle East has to do with America's welfare?
In case you haven't heard, shock and awe are out in what's increasingly being called either Iraq War 3.0 or -- more ominously -- Iraq War III. "Persistent and sustainable" are in, according to General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Why can't our leaders leave bad enough alone and get out of there? One possible explanation is that this apparently eternal battle has more to do with profits than protection.
No matter how pointless these wars prove, America's military-industrial complex makes a killing.
There's always a profit to be skimmed by the makers of cruise missiles and builders of submarines. They stay in the black even when humanity suffers.
But wait. Doesn't the United States lose when these wars inevitably shore up anti-American hatred?
Worrying about that kind of thing isn't really a job for military contractors. Just like the oil, gas, and coal industries, their goal is to grab what they can while the grabbing is good
America's hired guns and military contractors took a big hit after the last Iraq War wound down. But thanks to the eruption of "the ISIS crisis," the dogs of war in Congress are howling again.
At the moment, they're yelping at President Barack Obama and telling him to stop ruling out more "boots on the ground." Obama has already called for doubling current troop levels in Iraq and asked Congress for permission to spend $5.6 billion more than anticipated on the conflict.
Perhaps the most galling military development so far is the Pentagon's mobilization of depleted uranium weapons. These weapons are already suspected of causing widespread birth defects in Iraq from prior military campaigns, and there is a debate underway right now in the United Nations to ban them.
Whistleblower Peter Van Buren recently asked a good question about all of this: "What could go possibly go right?"
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
This column was distributed by OtherWords.
William Collins
OtherWords columnist William A. Collins is a former state representative and a former mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Emily Schwartz Greco
Emily Schwartz Greco is the Philanthropy + Nonprofits Editor for The Conversation. Previously, Emily was the managing editor of the OtherWords editorial service. She covered Latin America for the Bloomberg and Dow Jones news services.
Maybe you think the U.S. air war on the Islamic State is a fine plan. Maybe you don't. Either way, have you considered how little Washington's latest military foray in the Middle East has to do with America's welfare?
In case you haven't heard, shock and awe are out in what's increasingly being called either Iraq War 3.0 or -- more ominously -- Iraq War III. "Persistent and sustainable" are in, according to General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Why can't our leaders leave bad enough alone and get out of there? One possible explanation is that this apparently eternal battle has more to do with profits than protection.
No matter how pointless these wars prove, America's military-industrial complex makes a killing.
There's always a profit to be skimmed by the makers of cruise missiles and builders of submarines. They stay in the black even when humanity suffers.
But wait. Doesn't the United States lose when these wars inevitably shore up anti-American hatred?
Worrying about that kind of thing isn't really a job for military contractors. Just like the oil, gas, and coal industries, their goal is to grab what they can while the grabbing is good
America's hired guns and military contractors took a big hit after the last Iraq War wound down. But thanks to the eruption of "the ISIS crisis," the dogs of war in Congress are howling again.
At the moment, they're yelping at President Barack Obama and telling him to stop ruling out more "boots on the ground." Obama has already called for doubling current troop levels in Iraq and asked Congress for permission to spend $5.6 billion more than anticipated on the conflict.
Perhaps the most galling military development so far is the Pentagon's mobilization of depleted uranium weapons. These weapons are already suspected of causing widespread birth defects in Iraq from prior military campaigns, and there is a debate underway right now in the United Nations to ban them.
Whistleblower Peter Van Buren recently asked a good question about all of this: "What could go possibly go right?"
William Collins
OtherWords columnist William A. Collins is a former state representative and a former mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Emily Schwartz Greco
Emily Schwartz Greco is the Philanthropy + Nonprofits Editor for The Conversation. Previously, Emily was the managing editor of the OtherWords editorial service. She covered Latin America for the Bloomberg and Dow Jones news services.
Maybe you think the U.S. air war on the Islamic State is a fine plan. Maybe you don't. Either way, have you considered how little Washington's latest military foray in the Middle East has to do with America's welfare?
In case you haven't heard, shock and awe are out in what's increasingly being called either Iraq War 3.0 or -- more ominously -- Iraq War III. "Persistent and sustainable" are in, according to General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Why can't our leaders leave bad enough alone and get out of there? One possible explanation is that this apparently eternal battle has more to do with profits than protection.
No matter how pointless these wars prove, America's military-industrial complex makes a killing.
There's always a profit to be skimmed by the makers of cruise missiles and builders of submarines. They stay in the black even when humanity suffers.
But wait. Doesn't the United States lose when these wars inevitably shore up anti-American hatred?
Worrying about that kind of thing isn't really a job for military contractors. Just like the oil, gas, and coal industries, their goal is to grab what they can while the grabbing is good
America's hired guns and military contractors took a big hit after the last Iraq War wound down. But thanks to the eruption of "the ISIS crisis," the dogs of war in Congress are howling again.
At the moment, they're yelping at President Barack Obama and telling him to stop ruling out more "boots on the ground." Obama has already called for doubling current troop levels in Iraq and asked Congress for permission to spend $5.6 billion more than anticipated on the conflict.
Perhaps the most galling military development so far is the Pentagon's mobilization of depleted uranium weapons. These weapons are already suspected of causing widespread birth defects in Iraq from prior military campaigns, and there is a debate underway right now in the United Nations to ban them.
Whistleblower Peter Van Buren recently asked a good question about all of this: "What could go possibly go right?"
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.