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[zer0blivion]

An interview with Andrew Bacevich on Democracy Now.

Who?

Andrew Bacevich is a retired Army colonel, Vietnam War veteran, historian, professor emeritus of international relations and history at Boston University.

"We Will Prevail": Three Words, Three American Presidents & An Endless War in Iraq

On Tuesday, President Obama announced he’s exploring ways to scale up the battle against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. He said, "This will continue to be a difficult fight, but I’m absolutely confident that ISIL will lose. We will prevail." Those same three words, "We will prevail," were said 10 years ago by President George W. Bush and by Bush’s father 25 years ago about their own wars in Iraq. When will the seemingly never-ending U.S. wars in the Middle East end? We speak to retired Army colonel and military historian Andrew Bacevich, author "America’s War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History."

Andrew Bacevich: America's War for the Greater Middle East Cannot Be Won

When will the United States realize a military victory is impossible in the Middle East? Military historian Andrew Bacevich asks this question in his latest book. He writes, "As an American who cares deeply about the fate of his country, I should state plainly my own assessment of this ongoing war, now well into its fourth decade. We have not won it. We are not winning it. Simply trying harder is unlikely to produce a different outcome."

Military Historian Agrees with Bernie Sanders: Hillary Clinton is an Unreconstructed Hawk

In the Democratic presidential race, Senator Bernie Sanders has often clashed with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about U.S. policy in the Middle East. At one debate, he accused Clinton of being "too much into regime change." We ask military historian Andrew Bacevich for his assessment.

Youtube links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMbHIERGYk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwQrjHjlCUY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7tQnPjNMeA

It's a great interview.

Here's a snippet:

DEFENSE SECRETARY DONALD RUMSFELD: We have a choice: either to change the way we live, which is unacceptable, or to change the way that they live. And we have—we chose the latter. We intend to put them on the defensive, to disrupt terrorist networks and remove their sanctuaries and their support systems. This requires a distinctly different approach from any war that we have fought before.

AMY GOODMAN: So, assess what he said, and go back to what you referenced at the beginning. You’re saying our presence in Iraq right now in the Middle East is worsening the situation.

ANDREW BACEVICH: There’s no question about it. That’s a—that is a wonderful clip. I think that is, in a sense, the most important, the most telling, the most instructive quote from a U.S. government official to understand the path that we have followed.

 

[zer0blivion]

I should have titled the thread "Hillary Clinton is an Unreconstructed Hawk."

 

[Betty]

While ISIS have got to go asap, after they are removed I think it would be best to leave.

The only folk who will change hearts and minds are the people that actually live in the middle east, not Americans or anyone else.

Only problem though is that no US President will ever admit defeat and call it quits.

I imagine they'll do what US did in Vietnam, gradually withdraw and transfer the fighting duties to a group within the region.

 

[Log4Girlz]

We would love a war with Iran. Can't make bombs if you don't drop them. Big Money to be made in weapons.

 

[Elfforkusu]

Just from reading the quotes, this looks like an excellent interview. I'll give it a watch later.

I should have titled the thread "Hillary Clinton is an Unreconstructed Hawk."

Probably.

but then we'd have to argue about how this alleged historian is secretly just a loser conservative shill who doesn't know what he's talking about.