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Does anyone remember the “peace dividend,” that wondrous final payoff after the winding down of the long and harrowing Cold War? The theory was, back when the Soviet’s “Evil Empire” expired, America and her allies could tone down some of the tremendous military expenditures the arms race extracted, turning resources instead towards domestic programs of social uplift.
Of course things didn’t work out, and today’s new narrative sees the moribund Soviets resurrected in the person of Vladimir Putin, the neo-Bolshevik bogie man that must be stopped at all costs!
But this time around the lure is not being taken, even by some of the hoariest of old, cold warriors.
Kathy Kelly is a long-time peace and justice activist, essayist, and author. She’s the recipient of numerous awards for her peace service, including multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace prize and many more. She’s co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness and Voices for Creative Nonviolence, co-authored the book, ‘Prisoners on Purpose: a Peacemakers Guide to Jails and Prison,’ and wrote, ‘Other Lands Have Dreams: from Baghdad to Pekin Prison.’ In her latest article, ‘A Good Beginning: Toward the End of US Empire‘ Kelly profiles Zbigniew Brzezinski and Thomas Graham, two primary architects of U.S. global imperialism who now believe the Sun may be setting on America’s belligerent ways.
Kathy Kelly in the first half.
And; one place news of an Imperial sunset is welcome is the Philippines, where the island nation’s president, Rodrigo Duterte has proven a loose end and tangling nuisance for the Obama administration’s efforts to “pivot” America’s foreign policy focus back to the Pacific after years of being mired in Central Asia and the Middle East. Duterte’s dissing of Obama made headlines recently, and his insistence America’s military presence in the country be ended entirely within two years, combined with an increasingly cozy relationship with China reveals some Philippine pivot point weaknesses.
Peter Lee is a freelance journalist writing on East and South Asian affairs as they intersect with US global policy. He’s the driving force behind the Asian affairs website China Matters, providing critical updates on China and Asia-Pacific, and his articles also appear at Asia Times, and at CounterPunch.org, among other internet news sites. His latest articles warn, “It’s On Between Duterte and America!”
Peter Lee and are reports of the death of the US-Philippine alliance exaggerated? in the second half.
And; Victoria Street Newz publisher emeritus and CFUV Radio broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will be here at the bottom of the hour to bring us news of some of the good things planned for the coming week in, on, and around our town’s streets. But first, Kathy Kelly and good beginnings toward an end to US empire.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Wednesday, 1-2pm Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://cfuv.uvic.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.ca/
