Andrew Bacevich: Farewell, the American Century

Andrew Bacevich, author of the bestselling book The Limits Of Power discusses the end of the American century.

Read more by Andrew Bacevich at Tomdispatch.com and AmericanEmpireProject.com.

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• American Empire Project
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[RosenKrantz666]

A GENUINE AMERICAN WARRIOR. Knows when and where is appropriate to use to power to defend oneself and nation. I blame the neoCONs, GWB & the BankSters who funded the invasion of SEVERAL sovereign nations, entirely, which led to the murder of your USMC son, in Iraq. Our sincerest condolences.

[oodoodanoo]

The stupidest part of the American Century has been the willingness to take responsibility for all of the British Empire's aftermath.

They created Israel out of already-occupied Palestine, thus insulting the entire Muslim world. They sewed together three incompatible populations to create Iraq. They created the Durand line through the middle of the Pashtun homeland. They arbitrarily partitioned India, leading to a nuclear cold war on the subcontinent.

[pliuworld]

Good view points for US to acknowledge. However, to be fair and true, US did contribute to the fall of Japan totalitarianism, and creation of Japan democracy, which was a huge anchor stone to the stability of post-war Asia. In addition, US did contribute in a huge way to the reconstruction of Japan and Europe economy. These were not acknowledged in the remark here.

[oodoodanoo]

@writereducator Thanks for your opinion, Mr. Hanson.

[writereducator]

Much to comment here, positive and negative.

The number or percentage of military casualties between the USSR and the USA is not measure of respective contributions to the destruction of Nazi Germany. The USSR used their soldiers as cannon fodder while we had much more regard for our troops.

But I think he's right that we need to recognize our failures to avoid repeating them.

[1977Melville]

So I can assume the USA is going to become the UK?

[dsindc]

@jkiene All I can say is ... you're a real piece of work.

[dsindc]

@jkiene - When you make a statement like the following " Our sincerest condolences.? Wow, are you serious? I guess his son was forced into the Military by George Bush, right?" you should expect a response. That his son voluntarily gave his life so you can spout off here, and yet you make a flippant remark makes me sick. What is appropriate to you? "Well hey, he did ask for it right?" Typical neo-con attitude. YOU won't put a uniform on, yet you think it's fine to minimize those who do.

[jkiene]

@dsindc Oh, thanks for setting me straight. You're a real nice person. Thanks for coming along and showing me the way of the world. I realize how smart you are and that I shouldn't voice my opinion. Thanks!

[dsindc]

@jkiene The result of our dismantling of the Saddam Hussein regime is this- we destroyed the balance of power that had neutralized Iran. That is now gone, and the real result is a rising Iran, soon to have nuclear weapons. After all, N. Korea laughed off Bush's threats - "we will not tolerate a nuclear N. Korea". BUt for you to minimize his serivce, and his son's, is disgusting. And you served ... where? He paid his dues and has sterling academic creds. Idiot.

[dsindc]

@jkiene The point is that his son wanted to serve his country in the military - it is not for the military to question the missions they are sent to complete. What is "an UN-just war"? Your grammar and syntax would seem to indicate you're not real educated. Since when does an edict from the UN mean $hit to the U.S. government? As for the invasion of Iraq (not Kuwait) that was unilateral with a few allies tagging along, and it was based on lies.

[tonylee1973]

I respect Dr. Bacevich. But before Germany became a totalarian society Russia was under the control of Stalin. Would Fascism (which was partly a reaction against the revolution in 1917) come about if the czar was still in power? Certainly though we have an obligation to apoligize to the Iranian people, South America, the Middle east ect. And say thanks to gentlemen such as Dr. Bacevich.