Lex Fridman Podcast #423 – Tulsi Gabbard: War, Politics, and the Military Industrial Complex
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Apr 2, 2024 
Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran and former politician, dives into her perspectives on the military-industrial complex and the realities of war. She candidly shares reflections from her time in Iraq, highlighting emotional impacts on soldiers and critiques of defense profits. The conversation navigates pressing global conflicts, including calls for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy. Gabbard also discusses her political journey and disillusionment with party politics, underlining the importance of independent thought.
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Casualty Lists in Iraq
- Tulsi Gabbard describes her experience in Iraq, processing casualty lists daily, highlighting the human cost of war.
- This daily task deeply affected her and fueled her desire to influence policy decisions regarding war.
War Profiteering in Iraq
- Gabbard recounts observing war profiteering in Iraq, where companies like KBR made huge profits while workers earned very little.
- This experience further solidified her commitment to using her experience to influence positive change.
Visible and Invisible Wounds of War
- Soldiers experience both visible and invisible wounds in war, including the emotional toll of leaving comrades behind.
- Building human connections with locals, like the Polynesian soldiers did, can reduce casualties.
