Most people do not understand the historical influence of colonialism on our foreign policy in the US. The textbook definition:
- the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.”the state apparatus that was dominant under colonialism“
In today’s world we don’t need to have settlers to pull strings of power. Our international perception of US intervention is much different than the media spin. Having traveled to many countries over the last 18 years my eyes were opened after listening to the different views from Latin America to Africa to the Middle East. Our country’s reputation abroad is that when we intervene we make a bad situation worse over the long haul. At times we seek to bring change with the idea that the enemy of my enemy is my friend who we will back so we can put friendly parties into power. Our foreign policy mess has contributed to the rise of Isis and like groups that take advantage of countries with weak central governments or none at all. Both Democrats and Republicans have followed the path leading to past foreign policy mistakes. Short list of examples; Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and the list could go on.
” The US has spent $1.5 trillion on war since Sept 11 attacks. The collective wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria have cost more than $1.5 trillion, according to a Defense Department report.Sep 10, 2018. ” The $1.5 trillion is a hard cost with the long term cost much higher with military and civilian injuries. If we invested $1.5 trillion in border security, health care and education we would be better off.
We need to be more political with bad regimes by applying pressure through financial and UN strategies vs military or covert actions. This is a much better approach.
“As Ronald Reagan emphasized, America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.” We need to be a country to emulate versus one that wields a hammer. We need to save the military and convert activities to what is truly critical to our defense.