Reply #25: Great post. Now read Chalmers Johnson's "Blowback" for more details.

[eppur_se_muova]

Because of the title (which comes from CIA jargon), I assumed this book was going to be about clandestine operations. Rather, it's about the consequences of America's overseas military empire -- and empire is not too strong a word to use. Following WWII, American military bases overseas should have been phased out, but with the 'Cold War' as justification, were instead converted to permanent installations, which create disruption and danger for the countries where they are based. Johnson, a former CIA analyst (IIRC), has the facts and figures to make his case.

With the Cold War over, it seemed once again time to begin a phaseout, but the MIC made sure this didn't happen, and the much-vaunted "Peace Dividend" disappeared without a trace -- and without much comment, either.