Jul 25 2008

Real News: Obama’s Excellent Adventure



4 min 30 sec: For the Pentagon, it’s all about long term bases

Senator Barack Obama’s Middle East/Central Asia leg of his whirlwind world tour was as smooth as the three-pointer he shot in front of US troops. Military historian Gareth Porter explains what’s left unsaid behind the triumphal profusion of meetings and photo opportunities.

Gareth Porter is a historian and investigative journalist on US foreign and military policy analyst. He writes regularly for Inter Press Service on US policy towards Iraq and Iran. Author of four books, the latest of which is Perils of Dominance: Imbalance of Power and the Road to War in Vietnam.

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    • Edger on July 25, 2008 at 15:34
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    The United States military demands long term access to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    • OPOL on July 25, 2008 at 16:26
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    • banger on July 25, 2008 at 19:04
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    Obama has signed up for Empire–but did he have any other choice politically? The anti-imperialists don’t have any influence in Washington that I can see–I’m just curious as to how you think he could run for anything by being against the Empire and against Israel/Likud? We have not convinced people that Empire is a uncool.

    One of the mistakes people on the left generally make on the issue of empire is that we de-emphasize the cost of the Empire, aka “The War on Terror(ism)”. The tendency is to say it’s “wrong” or war is wrong. Most Americans think war is great so long as “we” win. Most Americans have no problem with mass civilian casualties just as they have no problem with torture. The argument will only get traction if we talk about cost–that’s an argument we can’t lose considering the massive amount corruption this war has enabled.  

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