Win Without War Executive Director Stephen Miles released the following statement regarding the recent escalation of military action in Iraq:
“We are in the midst of a pandemic. But instead of addressing it — instead of ensuring that there are adequate tests, that everyone has access to healthcare, or that the average worker has protection from financial loss — Donald Trump is risking another war of choice in the Middle East. We saw not two months ago where this type of escalatory tit-for-tat military strike can lead. The time to de-escalate is now.
“This is the perfect encapsulation of all that is wrong with U.S. foreign policy. The true national security threats of the 21st century, from climate change to global pandemics, will not be solved militarily. The violence-first approach has failed. It’s time to dramatically rethink our priorities, rein in the warmaking powers of the president, and refocus our resources toward meeting real human needs, such as public health.
“Earlier this year, Trump engaged in a similarly reckless military escalation with Iran — it almost led to all-out war. People across both the U.S. and Iran mobilized for peace, while leaders in Congress acted to block Trump’s path to war. Just this week, Congress decisively passed a war powers resolution with bipartisan support. Trump must not trample the will of the people.
“A war with Iran would be catastrophic in the best of times. In the midst of a pandemic that the U.S.’s own antagonistic approach to Iran exacerbated, it should be unthinkable. It was Trump’s capricious, aggressive policies — unilaterally withdrawing from the successful nuclear deal, imposing violent blanket sanctions, and more — that helped drive our countries to the brink of war months ago. It is up to us to immediately de-escalate, re-engage diplomatically, and build a new approach to global security that puts coordination and collaboration first.”
Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in the United States. Contact: Michael Galant michael@winwithoutwar.org, 203-260-4654.
The sanctions themselves need to be addressed. This economic terrorism is specifically why Iran is being hit ten times harder than most of their neighbors and it’s nothing short of pure evil. Sanctions are once again being used to torture the young, old and poor of a country into complying with regime change.
You’d think the powers that be would see the folly of violence aimed at the innocent. But our fearless leader and those around him just see the following: US – pure, unadulterated, holy good, Iran – pure unadulterated, Satanic evil. The early Christian Church rejected Manichaeism as a heresy contrary to Christ’s message, yet here we see it practiced by Pence and Pompeo in modern times.
I agree “threats of the 21st century, from climate change to global pandemics, will not be solved militarily.” But we must not lose sight of what has driven people to destruction throughout history: war, and the reason we fight it.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/