Reinforcing Failure in Israel & Ukraine - Col Lawrence Wilkerson, Alexander Mercouris & Glenn Diesen
Aug 6, 2024
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Col Lawrence Wilkerson, a former U.S. Army Colonel, joins legal expert Alexander Mercouris and geopolitical professor Glenn Diesen for a deep dive into failures in Israel and Ukraine. They discuss U.S. foreign policy's influence on Israel's military actions and the potential for internal conflict driven by identity issues. The panel critiques NATO dynamics, British leadership, and the consequences of military intervention, while emphasizing the need for peace negotiations and the resilience of American democracy amid global challenges.
The US's extensive use of sanctions and militaristic foreign policy is straining international alliances and encouraging adversarial coalitions.
Israel faces significant military challenges in Gaza, complicating its strategies and risking further regional entanglements under Netanyahu's leadership.
Internal divisions within the IDF and Israeli society reflect growing fatigue over conflict, threatening national stability and military cohesion.
Deep dives
The Impact of US Wars and Sanctions
The extensive involvement of the United States in wars has led to significant internal exhaustion and strain on international alliances. Colonel Wilkerson notes that the US currently has over a third of the world under various sanctions, which exacerbates global tensions. This militaristic approach not only heightens concerns among allies but has also encouraged adversarial nations to band together against the US. The ongoing conflicts highlight an urgent need for a strategic reassessment to prevent further geopolitical instability.
Israel's Escalating Military Struggles
Israel is facing critical military challenges as it grapples with an ongoing conflict in Gaza, a fraught political landscape, and increasing tensions with Hezbollah. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have shown signs of exhaustion, leading to questions about the overarching military strategy and goals under Prime Minister Netanyahu. Wilkerson emphasizes that continuous military action in Gaza may deepen Israel's entanglements without yielding a viable resolution, raising the likelihood of a larger regional war. The current trajectory indicates a grim outlook for both Israel and its strategic choices moving forward.
The Role of US Support in Israeli Strategy
Netanyahu's relationship with the US is pivotal for Israel as it allows him to stabilize his position domestically while pursuing aggressive military actions. The podcast reveals that Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington was primarily to secure US support, illustrating how he wields American assistance as a tool for internal political gain. This alignment raises concerns about whether the United States is being dragged deeper into conflicts that may not serve its interests. The influence of certain US senators also suggests that Israel's militaristic ambitions may be exacerbated by American lawmakers who favor escalation over restraint.
Internal Divisions within Israel and the IDF
The podcast discusses the growing rift within the IDF and Israeli society, as military personnel and segments of the population express rising fatigue over the endless cycles of violence. The conflict also appears to be sowing discontent among reservists who are increasingly reluctant to participate in operations they perceive as lacking a clear strategy or purpose. Furthermore, the surge of religious extremism among settlers complicates the situation, as they may turn against the IDF, exacerbating internal strife. This internal division poses a potential threat to Israel’s stability and highlights the precarious balance between military action and civil order.
The Broader Consequences of US Foreign Policy
The discussion emphasizes the detrimental consequences of a US foreign policy that prioritizes military engagement without sound strategic thinking. The lack of accountability and reflection on past military endeavors has led to a cycle of unwinnable conflicts, with the current situation in Ukraine mirroring previous failures, like the Iraq War. The podcast argues that an absence of clear objectives undermines not only US interests but also global stability, as evidenced by the dire consequences faced by countries caught in the crossfire of these conflicts. Overall, a need for a fundamental reevaluation of foreign policy strategies is urgent to avoid repeating historical mistakes.
