Robert Parry: Neocons Spin Two ‘Lost’ Wars

[marmar]

from Consortium News:



Neocons Spin Two ‘Lost’ Wars

Exclusive: The looming U.S. defeats in Iraq and Afghanistan represent a threat to the political fortunes of America’s neocons — if they get blamed for the disasters. However, if they can hang the failures around President Obama’s neck, the two lost wars might help bring the neocons back to power as early as 2013, writes Robert Parry.

By Robert Parry
June 8, 2011


American neocons still insist that they achieved “victory at last” in the Iraq War and can “win” in Afghanistan, although both bloody conflicts are now grinding inexorably toward grim conclusions as two of the worst strategic defeats in U.S. history.

Yet, paradoxically, the twin disasters carry possible political advantages for the neocons – if they can shift the blame for the defeats onto President Barack Obama. That prospect could even contribute to Obama’s defeat in 2012 and open the door to the neocons reclaiming control of U.S. foreign policy in 2013.

If that trick can be pulled off, the neocons could keep U.S. military in the service of Israel’s Likud hardliners as they confront new dangers from their Arab neighbors and may want help attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The neocons also realize that an Obama electoral loss in 2012 would protect the Pentagon’s budget which otherwise could face at least some modest trimming in a second Obama term. Republican leaders have declared that they would spare the Pentagon from budget cuts even as the GOP proposes slashing key social programs, including Medicare. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://consortiumnews.com/2011/06/08/neocons-spin-two-lost-wars/

[applegrove]

1. I just heard on CBC Ideas program that European armies used to have

tons of crows following them into battle knowing full well they would get many meals out of warfare. I wonder what sort of parasites follow today's soldiers.

[madrchsod]

2. neo liberals went along with these wars....

[Enthusiast]

5. I believe the term neo-liberal is

only used in the context of economic philosophy.

[bemildred]

3. It's not really even defeat, it's just waste and stupidity.

"Military masturbation" is what I think it is.

[Mopar151]

4. I just read the peice at the link

What the ????? Is life, and treasure, completely valuless to these vampires? Do they want to die like their apparent hero, Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula), surrounded by rotting corpses, bribing absolution from terrorized priests?
Do they truly beleive their fantasies, still? Is bringing forth the end times their true motivation, or is it nhilistic voyeurisim from the torture cells?

[Enthusiast]

6. It wouldn't matter if the U.S.

occupied those countries for one hundred years, they will never have a true representative democracy.