Perpetual War
By Rev. Brian Carter, Iowa MFSA
As 2021 dawns the U.S is involved militarily with “Wars on Terrorism” in 80 countries. In Somalia 700 troops were deployed 3 years ago, after President Trump, with Pentagon approval, declared part of that country an “area of active hostilities.” Loosening of military rules of engagement, repeated multiple times, makes it easier for the US military to conduct airstrikes, drone attacks and worse aggressions.
In the first seven months of 2020, the Trump Administration launched 43 airstrikes in Somalia. The total number of airstrikes under the Bush and Obama administrations there, 2007 - 2016 was 41. To be fair, airstrikes were increasing under Bush and Obama, not only in Somalia, but in many countries where hostilities or terrorism occurred. In December 2020 President Trump finally announced the withdrawal of troops from Somalia, but it remains unclear when/if troops will leave.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and “Airwars,” a nonprofit monitoring organization, carefully documented air strikes and casualties in Somalia from January 2004 - February 2020. They report 202 airstrikes, with 1,197 - 1,410 combatant, 12-97 civilian and 1-13 child deaths. Perpetual War is not restricted to Africa, with 23 U.S. bases. There was a 330% increase in civilian death from 2016 under Obama to 2019 under Trump in Afghanistan. From 2007 to 2016 US led forces killed an average of 582 civilians each year. From 2017 through 2019, American forces killed an average of 1,134 civilians each year, a 95% increase. (AlterNet Newsletter, Jan 11, 2021)
PERPETUAL WAR is defined as a state of war with no clear roadmap for peace or an end to hostilities. Vastly bloated defense budgets allow the U.S. to fight multiple (80!) wars simultaneously; our 2018 military budget was larger than our World War II budget, adjusted for inflation. War is fully funded. Major General Smedley D. Butler, twice a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient notes how military contractors and manufacturers make fortunes.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex as a threat to democracy and liberty. We must guard against undue influence as the potential for a disastrous rise of misplaced power persists. Noam Chomsky says Perpetual War further empowers dominant political and economic classes.
PERPETUAL WAR threatens liberties and democratic institutions by promoting the lie that war keeps citizens safe. In our culture, the military is glorified and honored while our collective mind is trained to worship a false god of power, weakening our economy. In an age of pandemic, it is not only the military which deserves a hearty, “Thank you for your service!” Teachers, health care workers, farmers and food servers, delivery personnel, social and mental health workers; all are essential and deserving thanks.
In Democracy in America Historian Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, “No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. . .If it does not lead to despotism by sudden violence, it prepares people for it more gently by their habits.” Entering a state of perpetual war becomes easier in a modern democratic republic such as the U.S. even though the military-industrial-Congressional pact threatens democracy, creates poverty, causes over- priced housing and food insecurity for millions. Our trust in war necessitates a hero versus demonized, good versus evil contrast which moves citizens toward fear and conspiracy-based attacks on elections and democratic institutions such as the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Christians should always remember, “Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.” Jesus admonishes all his followers to love enemies and neighbors as oneself.
What to do? Repeal the 2001 AUMF (2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force) and urge President Biden to reign in military spending for perpetual and drone war. Work for that which makes for peace by supporting locally led peace with justice efforts that are fully inclusive and designed to end PERPETUAL WAR and the failed War on Terror.
