The US, NATO and Phoney Wars

And Eric Zuesse

US War Culture

Eric Zuesse is one of those writers I pay attention to. He posts on the Duran—and, as I do—on South Front ..

In a recent article, he wrote about a disagreement between Jens Stoltenburg and Joe Biden.

Seems Stoltenburg wants to add Ukraine to NATO, the better to start a real war. Not that Turkey would allow that, or maybe even some of the other NATO states, who could veto membership.

Zuesse writes that the US carried out 297 military invasions after 1945, 244 of them after the collapse of the USSR, drawing on US congressional sources. “Invasion” is the wrong word. These were military actions, not quite the same. For example, using US military aircraft to transport French troops in Central Africa. It’s a quibble. I suppose, in the end it comes to the same thing, In any case, the US has a war culture.

The US wants Ukraine to lose—slowly

Biden won’t allow the prospect of a real war. If you look at the list of US military actions outside of North America the US likes other countries to do the fighting where possible.

Biden is vetoing Ukraine being added to NATO for good reasons.

a.) The US would have to commit troops and other assets—and must expect massive losses

b.) US military doctrine depends on overwhelming suppression of enemy defenses with air power and artillery –not possible in a war with Russia.

c.) NATO has ammo for just a couple of weeks. And the US isn’t much better. Russia is clearly preparing for war with NATO—and it would win. It has lots of ammo.

d.) the Chinese would benefit from the distraction.

e) Most important of all -- a bloody war would wreck the Democrats’ chances in the 2024 election

So Zuesse thinks, as I do, that the US wants to keep Ukraine fighting until the election at least.

From Off Ramp to On Ramp

I have written elsewhere that the US needs an Off Ramp, which has to be Ukraine’s failure. After the 2024 election, the US shrugs and says, “We tried, but THEY fucked it up”. Then a few weeks later, “Ukraine? War? What war?” Like Afghanistan. “Where’s that?” If Ukraine ceases to exist by that name at least—all the better.

This strategy will keep the arms industry bankrolling the Democrats. The On Ramp after Ukraine is to China, so the US can start selling weapons to Japan, Korea and Australia. Start? No, they’ve already begun No, there won’t be a real shooting war since they would lose--Just another Phoney War.

This is Jet, who is 18 and now can vote. He was a VERY sick street cat but now OK. He thinks my beard is some kind of growth and is always trying to likc it off. He likes everyone. And always says hello to the delivery person. Buy him a coffee.

I like dogs too. I was brought up by dogs.