As the world teeters on the brink of nuclear escalation and economic collapse, an urgent question arises: Can reason and development prevail over hegemonism and war?
Scott Ritter’s article “How Trump Saved Christmas” covered by EIR highlights a recent pivotal moment in U.S.-Russia relations. As tensions escalated over the decision by the very lame-duck Biden administration on Nov. 17 to allow Ukraine to deploy U.S. ATACMS missiles into Russia, Trump’s denunciation of the policy in a Nov. 25 interview with Time magazine may have been a key factor in preventing Moscow from responding with strategic nuclear weapons. Ritter is working to gain support in Congress for HR 10218, which would prohibit the use or transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.
Trump’s declaration that using U.S. missiles for strikes within Russia would be “crazy” and “a very big mistake” stands in sharp contrast to the strategic planners currently occupying the halls of power. Rear Adm. Thomas “TR” Buchanan, Director, Plans and Policy Directorate of the United States Strategic Command—that means nuclear forces—takes so seriously the possibility of the U.S. “winning” a nuclear war, that he advocates holding back some of the American nuclear arsenal, to be ready for more fighting and a second nuclear war.
In the shattered world left by a nuclear exchange, from which human civilization could take centuries to recover, if it is not entirely obliterated, who would make a priority out of maintaining additional nuclear weapons? What is the origin of the sickness he calmly expresses?
Or how about U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, who bragged of U.S. military superiority over China, that “The advantage lies with us because our last combat was captured on somebody’s iPhone 14. China’s last combat was captured on oil and canvas, and they should not forget that.” Is it a mark of honor to be constantly engaged in war?
European countries, meanwhile, are in various levels of economic collapse even as military spending increases. Germany’s machine-building sector, once a pillar of industrial strength, faces an 8% decline in output in a country of high energy costs and stringent green regulations. In France, Emmanuel Macron’s political struggles are mirrored by Moody’s downgrade of French debt. And just look at the Dec. 1 first round of elections in Romania—overturned by courts—and Georgia, where the current lame-duck President refuses to leave her post. What happened to “democracy"?
Or consider what has just taken place in Syria. Legacy media are falling all over themselves to heap praise upon Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who heads a rebranded al-Qaeda/al-Nusra Front, was put on an FBI wanted list with a $10 million award, and is now lauded as the leader of “‘diversity-friendly’ jihadists” reshaping Syria. Consistency is not the strong suit of the rules-based order…
Societies, and individuals, need a higher calling!
Instead of nuclear and economic brinksmanship, the world needs scientific collaboration. Instead of creating enemies, forge economic partnerships.
Meanwhile, China is offering a different concept of global leadership, through its promotion of peace in world hotspots. It has just recruited another country, Nepal, to its Belt and Road Initiative, in the form of infrastructure projects.
Will the next year be one of peril or of peace?
The solution lies in the hands of leaders and citizens around the world, and a phenomenal presentation of the required ideas was created by the Schiller Institute, in its outstanding conference of Dec. 7-8. And on Sunday, Dec. 15, the Schiller Institute New York City Community Chorus is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a concert in Manhattan, which will also be live-streamed, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Note: EIR is happy to announce that EIR’s Ibero-American Director Dennis Small has been given an award by the Journalists’ Club of Mexico in recognition of his work.
