The Take How the myth of democracy fuels the US forever wars
5 snips
Jun 6, 2025 
Nathan Robinson, co-author of The Myth of American Idealism and editor-in-chief of Current Affairs, debates the myth that U.S. wars promote democracy. He discusses how the portrayal of intervention as altruism obscures the true motivations behind these conflicts. With a historical lens, Robinson critiques U.S. foreign policy shifts post-9/11 and highlights the moral contradictions inherent in military rhetoric. He also exposes the harsh realities of dehumanization in warfare and challenges the narrative surrounding the Iraq War, emphasizing its devastating legacy.
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Myth of US Idealism
- The U.S. often claims it intervenes abroad to protect freedom but actually pursues power and hegemony.
- This pattern has persisted throughout different administrations and wars from Vietnam to the War on Terror.
Enemies Fuel US National Identity
- US foreign policy after 9-11 restored a sense of existential struggle reminiscent of the Cold War.
- Presidents benefit from identifying an enemy, bolstering national identity through 'righteous' conflict.
Bin Laden's 9/11 Justifications
- Bin Laden's 9-11 letter cited US support for dictators and Israel's oppression of Palestinians as reasons for attack.
- Mainstream US media largely ignored these motivations, skewing public understanding of the conflict.
