If the United States wants to be an empire, taking in refugees is the price to be paid. It should be kept in mind that Afghan refugees are human beings and President Joe Biden bears the responsibility for this particular humanitarian crisis but the interventionists in both political parties have more indirect responsibility because of their support for foreign wars. All political factions in the US are being enormously hypocritical here.
Greece was compelled to take in refugees from Syria despite the fact that Athens did not participated in any wars against Syria or any other country. Those who support the wars have the responsibility to take in the refugees. Western European countries supported the war in Syria to overthrow the Asaad government but refused to help Athens when the Greeks were having trouble with the huge number of refugees.
Pro war policies have led to the destruction of countries and societies. Afghanistan is rather complicated because of the fact that Kabul hosted Al Quada before, during, and after the 9/11 attacks. The wars in Iraq and Syria and the overthrow of the Libyan government in 2011 led to humanitarian crises and the flow of refugees. Regime change necessitates taking responsibility.
Talk radio which is a bastion of stupidity and racism (I remember a local talk show host making anti Greek remarks during the economic crisis in Greece) rejects the idea of accepting refugees for humanitarian reasons. The logical conclusion to all this is stop waging wars and creating the conditions that create refugees. Let’s keep in mind that their are hawks in both political parties pushing for a war with Iran and are also taking an aggressive line against Russia.
It is likely that the hawks in both political parties are not going to take the proper lessons that result from trying to be an empire. The refugee crisis will end when the US wars end. Syria is an example of Washington’s insane war making policies.
Syria was a secular country and was the last country in the Middle East where Christians were secure. America is not a Christian country but that is a topic for another time. The Asaad regime was an authoritarian one but one where regular people could at least have something of a normal life.
When the rebellion erupted a decade ago in Syria, the Obama administration (and the neocons) demanded an American intervention. One of the more controversial aspects of the Syrian war was the use of poison gas. The stupid in America and Europe were horrified about the use of poison gas. The reality is that wars produce crimes against humanity and atrocities by all sides.
Syria nearly became a failed state. The Russian determination to save the Assad regime is a credit to Russia. President Donald Trump’s cutting off the jihadist linked terrorists in Syria also deserves credit.
Patrick Buchanan wrote a great book back in 1999 entitled, “A Republic, Not an Empire”. The book deserves to be read by serious minded people. America was founded to be a Republic. As long as the liberals and neocons want America to be an Empire more refugees will be created.
If there is anything the Afghanistan situation should be teaching America, it is to avoid future wars. Unfortunately, the pro war elements in both parties and the think tanks have their eyes on Russia and Iran.
One reply on “Taking In Refugees Is The Price Of Empire”
Any Afghans who supported our effort in that country need to be offered refuge in the USA, not left at the mercy of the Taliban. We never should have gotten involved in a civil war in that nation in the first place-we should have attacked the Al Quaida training facilities and killed/captured as many of the terrorists as we could. But that’s it, not gotten into a 20 year long war with the Taliban. But what’s done is done. Not we need to clean up the mess and that involves helping the people who supported us. The Dems throw the doors open to refugess from Central America because they believe they’ll become Democrat voters in time, but they’re balking at Afghans because they suspect they won’t as reliable voting for that party. We need to put politics to one side and do what’s right and try and redeem the mess we created. That’s the Christian thing to do.