US War Profiteers Pushing World to the Edge of Armageddon
John Miles, the author of this piece, begins by quoting former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who warned against the undue influence of the military-industrial complex. Eisenhower, a moderate Republican and former Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II, had witnessed the intersection of private profit and military power. His political experiences led him to coin the term military-industrial-Congressional complex.
The Rise of War Profiteering
War profiteering was already a well-known issue in Eisenhower's time. Journalists had criticized the "merchants of death" who armed all sides in World War I and the War of the Pacific. However, economic developments since the 1940s have exacerbated this trend, with military contractors and private mercenaries draining billions of dollars from taxpayer funds. According to Dr. Ken Hammond, an expert in East Asian and Global History, the military-industrial complex now poses a threat not only to public investment but to human civilization itself.
Weapons Manufacturers' Influence and the Threat of War
Hammond discussed how the influence of weapons manufacturers has brought the world to the brink of war with Russia and China on Sputnik’s The Critical Hour program. He described the Biden administration's plan to ship $567 million in lethal aid to authorities in Taiwan as a money-laundering scheme. This move, he explained, is part of an ongoing relationship between the military-industrial complex and the American government.
The US and Taiwan
The United States has formally recognized Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China in at least three formal declarations. However, in recent years, the US has increasingly sought to provoke China on this sensitive issue by shipping arms to Taiwanese authorities and dispatching ships to the Taiwan Strait. China has repeatedly called for the US to respect its sovereignty and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
Arms Shipments and Their Implications
Hammond pointed out that recent US guarantees to Taiwanese authorities amount to about a billion dollars. He questioned what could be done with that money to improve housing, healthcare, and education in the US, rather than funding warfare and warmongering. He also claimed that the Democratic and Republican parties are competing to see who can be more warlike in their relationship with China.
The Donbass Conflict and NATO
The Donbass conflict has provided another significant opportunity for arms manufacturers to make record profits. Critics argue that the US-led NATO has sought to expand for the benefit of weapons manufacturers. NATO has grown significantly since the end of the Cold War, adding 16 more member states from 1999 through 2024. Many new members are former Eastern Bloc countries, threatening both Moscow’s trade relationships and its security as the hostile bloc expands towards Russia’s border.
Bottom Line
The military-industrial complex has a powerful influence on global politics, and its actions could potentially push the world to the brink of war. It's essential to consider the implications of this influence and question whether the pursuit of private profit should outweigh the need for peace and stability. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think the influence of the military-industrial complex is a cause for concern? Share this article with your friends and discuss it. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
