militarism
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Europe Wants Soldiers, Not Solutions: Germany’s Draft and the Return of the War Economy
CNN dresses Germany’s new conscription regime as common sense, but its language reveals an empire preparing its young for war. Beneath the talking points lies a material crisis: collapsing legitimacy, labor shortages, and NATO’s hunger for bodies. Germany’s rearmament only makes sense when placed within Europe’s deeper imperial recalibration toward austerity and militarized governance. The… Continue reading
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The EU Eyes New Horizons
Three developments in the past week herald a profound shift in European politics. It is tempting, but ultimately futile, to contextually place this shift as a reaction to the Russian decision to launch military operations in Ukraine. The pretext only provides the alibi, while the shift is anchored on power play and has a dynamic… Continue reading
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Prominent Australian academic suggests building nuclear weapons By Peter Symonds
Strategic analyst Hugh White has reignited a debate in media and security circles about building nuclear weapons to defend the country against the alleged threat posed by nuclear-armed powers, particularly China. His recently published book, How to Defend Australia, argues that nuclear weapons need to be considered because the United States is in relative decline… Continue reading
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Brexit and the return of European militarism
The European Union has responded to the UK referendum vote to withdraw from the EU, and the resulting intensification of the political, economic and social crisis of Europe, by calling for the militarization of the continent and buildup of its internal security forces. Since the announcement of the result 11 days ago, a number of… Continue reading
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German politicians, media seek to criminalize opponents of war By Christoph Dreier
In recent months, President Joachim Gauck has been calling quite openly for a more robust German military presence in the world. This attempted revival of German militarism has been decisively rejected by a majority of the population. Politicians, the media and the public prosecution department are now organizing a campaign against opponents of war and… Continue reading
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Washington boasts of military buildup against China By Bill Van Auken
If anyone was fooled by the media analyses portraying President Barack Obama’s speech at West Point last week as a turn toward “moderation” and “restraint,” or tempted to think that the World Socialist Web Site was exaggerating in describing the address as a blueprint for “permanent and global war in pursuit of the interests of… Continue reading
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Germany: Leading journalists attempt to censor TV program By Peter Schwarz
Since February, Germany’s second public television channel, the ZDF, has been broadcasting the political satire show “Die Anstalt” (the German word is used for a TV station as well as for a mental asylum) at regular intervals. Featuring 46-year-old Max Uthoff and 36-year-old Claus von Wagner, a younger generation of comedians has taken over from… Continue reading
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90% of All Deaths In War Are CIVILIANS
To support its world-wide empire at the turn of the 19th century, Great Britain adopted the “two power standard,” which called for the Royal Navy to be equal to the combined strength of the next two largest navies in the world. The United States has more than doubled that standard as regards budgets, and yet… Continue reading
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How the revival of German militarism was prepared By Johannes Stern
The German government’s aggressive action in Ukraine and the massive propaganda campaign accompanying it have surprised many. German politicians and opinion makers have almost unanimously backed the fascist-led coup in Ukraine. They seek to outdo each other with demands for tougher measures against Moscow and denounce the German people, the majority of whom are clearly… Continue reading
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Britain seeks to make up lost ground with US over Ukraine By Julie Hyland
Lord Dannatt, the former chief of the UK’s general staff between 2006 and 2008, has called for an increase in the number of Britain’s Armed Forces. The retired Army officer, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said the change was necessary in response to events in Ukraine. Continue reading
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US the biggest threat to world peace in 2013 – poll
The US has been voted as the most significant threat to world peace in a survey across 68 different countries. Anti-American sentiment was not only recorded in antagonistic countries, but also in many allied NATO partners like Turkey and Greece. Continue reading
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In the name of “peace”, the European Union readies for war By Jean Shaoul
A series of European Union (EU) discussion papers and meetings have made it clear that the European powers are pushing for a more assertive militarist policy. The unfolding of this aggressive imperialist foreign policy takes place amid concerns that these powers are, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, losing influence in the scramble… Continue reading
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First world war: an imperial bloodbath that’s a warning, not a noble cause By Seumas Milne
They were never going to be able to contain themselves. For all the promises of a dignified commemoration, the Tory right’s standard bearers held back for less than 48 hours into the new year before launching a full-throated defence of the “war to end all wars”. The killing fields of Gallipoli and the Somme had… Continue reading
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From Hiroshima to Syria, the enemy whose name we dare not speak By John Pilger
On my wall is the front page of Daily Express of September 5, 1945 and the words: “I write this as a warning to the world.” So began Wilfred Burchett’s report from Hiroshima. It was the scoop of the century. For his lone, perilous journey that defied the US occupation authorities, Burchett was pilloried, not… Continue reading
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British Democracy: Living in Fear, Kept in the Dark By Colin Todhunter
Earlier this year, I watched the BBC’s main political debate programme that allows an audience of members of the public to put questions to a panel of politicians and so-called experts. Syria was on the agenda. A member of the panel referred to the Syrian rebels as ‘freedom fighters’. Within a few minutes, all panel… Continue reading
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Criminals for Peace By William T. Hathaway
A new group of war resisters, deserters, and peace activists from the USA, Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan offers a variety of answers to these conundrum questions. In opposing militarism we’ve moved beyond demonstrations and petitions into direct action, flouting the government’s laws and impeding its ability to kill our fellow human beings. As criminals for… Continue reading
The New Dark Age 