Forever Wars, Explained

Why does it seem as if the U.S is constantly at war? In every administration, we hear stories of unilateral drone strikes taken against what seems to be a new country every day. Venezuela, Nicaragua, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Somalia, and the list keeps on growing. While Congress needs to formally declare war, the POTUS, as commander-in-chief, can take action in any way they see fit. Politicians excuse their actions in the name of "democracy". But what kind of democracy is America? As the Council of Foreign Relations laments, the U.S is above international law; many of the U.S's actions in foreign countries would be condemned if the country were a signatory to international treaties. Clearly, the U.S's obsession with foreign intervention is driven by an ulterior motive: the Military-Industrial Complex.

Defense companies directly benefit from their products being "shipped" worldwide. In order to secure their future profits, defense contractors lobby the government to support pro-war legislation. Jacobin analyzes two key ways the military-industrial complex hurts Americans at home and global citizens abroad. First, military budgets are at an all-time high. Of the $14.5 trillion the Pentagon spent between fiscal years 2002 and 2021, 55 percent went to military contractors. Our tax money is going directly into the private sector. Second, military contractors donate millions to congressmen during re-elections while spending even more on lobbying. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing are all top ten contributors in lobbying expenses.

Empirically, the U.S military interventions are rarely successful. In fact, the U.S does more to fuel terrorism than hurt it. In Yemen, for example, the European Council on Foreign Relations warrants that U.S strikes empower the Houthis to increase military drills. In Somalia, data proves that more instability has ravaged the region as a result of post 9/11 interventions. More recently, the strikes on Venezuela killing 21 people, only emboldened cartels to continue confrontational policies. The industry thrives on a never-ending threat. The more conflicts around the world, the more contracts private companies can sign.

The billions going towards war are billions not allocated to feeding our population, providing livable wages, and issuing healthcare. As the defense budget ramps up even further, it is imperative to keep in mind the effects of the U.S's military adventurism both at home and abroad. Here, companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Palantir, etc., line their pockets with war. Abroad, terror organizations fuel violence.

— Samyak Duggirala