Ooh look at me I’m sticking it to the man by supporting the same agendas as the US State Department. I’m being punk rock by regurgitating the same war propaganda talking points as John Bolton.
Is there anything more undignified than “leftists” and “anarchists” who cheer on the fall of empire-targeted governments even as the empire moves war machinery into place?
Ooh look at me I’m sticking it to the man by supporting the same agendas as the US State Department. I’m being punk rock by regurgitating the same war propaganda talking points as John Bolton. I’m fighting the power by backing the foreign policy objectives of the most powerful empire that has ever existed.
Fucking embarrassing, man.
Having a serious political perspective requires a deeper grasp than simply “tyranny bad.” As westerners, we live under arguably the most oppressive regime worldwide, which relentlessly targets the few nations resisting absorption into its vast imperial domain—countries like Iran, Russia, China, North Korea, and Cuba. These states endure because they maintain robust governments willing to exercise control to quash imperial interference and prevent regime overthrows.
This does not imply that these governments are perfect, only that they hold the necessary characteristics to withstand coups, proxy wars, color revolutions, and foreign meddling orchestrated by the empire. If your assessment of state power boils down to “tyranny bad,” you unwittingly end up opposing these resilient states and, whether acknowledged or not, siding with the most tyrannical system on earth—namely, the US-centered western empire.
Throughout the 21st century, no other entity has killed millions in murderous wars of aggression, imposed sanctions that starve civilians, masterminded coups, fueled proxy conflicts, and maintained hundreds of military bases encircling the globe. The US empire alone bears this record. Its domination by deadly force represents tyranny at its most extreme. If this reality is denied, nothing else truly matters.
To develop a genuine political worldview, one must confront this truth. The assumption that the downfall of any authoritarian regime is inherently positive holds no validity for an adult, particularly for those residing at the heart of the western empire, especially while that empire aims to topple the government in question.
The empire grows stronger as more power structures are absorbed. Wanting their integration is essentially wanting greater influence and reach for the US empire.
One might convince themselves they don’t desire Iran to be absorbed by US control, merely wish for freedom and democracy there. However, the truth is far from this ideal. When Iran’s government weakens, a power vacuum emerges, inevitably filled by factions supported by the US and its allies. Currently, no grassroots faction in Iran is powerful enough to oppose US-backed regime installation besides the incumbent government.
This is the reality—not a perfect one, but the reality nonetheless. You can either accept it honestly or retreat into fantasy narratives about a worldwide people’s revolution conveniently erupting in all the nations the US empire opposes. Personally, I view the latter as undignified, self-debasing, and ultimately serving power interests.
Original article: caitlinjohnstone.com.au
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