A World Federalist’s Perspective
Etienne Bowie
The mainstream and politicos would have you believe that progressives and those on the left of the political spectrum don’t want security nor a military defense force. This of course is incorrect, the reality is that we define defense and security differently than those in the center and on the right. Defense doesn’t mean “intervening” in conflicts by choosing a side based on any capitalist, or if possible a socialist agenda. We believe that conflicts, especially when violent, should never be influenced by any agenda, other than ones focused on human rights and maintaining the basic principals of the United Nations, which itself also needs to be reformed.
The United States can no longer unilaterally execute military operations under the guide of corporate America and wealthy business interest (also known as the Military Industrial Complex). What once was viewed as a force of good in the world, which was a questionable assertion then, is now clearly seen as an imperial power. A power which is also the greatest polluter in the world and only produces more chaos rather than peace.
This article by Jacobin’s Phyllis Bennis explains what the Green New Deal (GND) can do to help us lean ourselves off of carbon-based fuels, which we believe would radically affect the United States and European nations’ foreign policy strategies–possibly and hopefully creating an opportunity for peace among all the nations of the world.
The GND gives us, the United States and European nations, the chance to develop totally new technologies which will only strengthen our security forces and the resolve of policy leaders. Most of the military’s larger vessels and equipment are already environmentally friendly; ships and submarines. This is where most of the pollution comes from in regard to the military small to medium sized military vehicles; tanks, helicopters, aircraft, and Humvee. So when you here others say that climate change doesn’t matter or might make our military forces ineffective, remind them that the Pentagon (US Department of Defense) said in a report to the Office of the President and the US Congress that climate change should be a priority of national security.
Written By PHYLLIS BENNIS
Fellow | Institute for Policy Studies
June 11, 2019
The war on terror unleashed in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack has led to almost two decades of unchecked militarism. We are spending more money on our military than at any time in history. Endless wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere are still raging, more wars are threatened against Iran and beyond, costing the US trillions of dollars and creating humanitarian disasters. Treaties to control nuclear arms are unraveling at the same time that conflicts with the major powers of Russia and China are heating up.
The Green New Deal must have anti-militarism at its core. Wars and the military render impossible the aspirations contained in the Green New Deal. And slashing the out-of-control military budget is crucial to provide the billions of dollars we need to create a sustainable and egalitarian economy.
To fund the Green New Deal, with all of its component parts, we must transition away from the current war economy that pollutes the planet, distorts our society, enriches only the war profiteers. An end to US wars across the globe and massive cuts to the military budget will provide funds for green jobs, public education, health care for all, green infrastructure development. And we will transition our nation’s security away from failed and failing wars into a new foreign policy based on peace and diplomacy, not war…
What is World Federalism?
World Federal Government (WFG)
Original Publisher
JacobinFellow Phyllis Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at IPS, focusing on Middle East, U.S. wars and UN issues. She is also a fellow of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. In 2001 she helped found and remains active with the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. She works with many anti-war organizations, writing and speaking widely across the U.S. and around the world as part of the global peace movement. She has served as an informal adviser to several top UN officials on Middle East issues and was twice short-listed to become the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
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