By Qamar Bashir
The recent US bipartisan approval of a $90 billion aid package to fuel wars in
three conflict-ridden regions underscores a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy,
signaling a departure from the isolationist stance of the former Trump
administration. Unlike the "America First" policy and the withdrawal of U.S.
forces from conflict zones advocated by Donald Trump, the Biden administration,
in collaboration with Congress and the Senate, is reaffirming America's role as a
global hegemon.
In contrast to redirecting funds away from global engagements to prioritize
domestic needs and elevate living standards for American citizens, the current
administration is asserting U.S. dominance on the world stage.
While the previous approach sought to minimize U.S. involvement abroad, the new
strategy imposes America USA as the only global leader which is characterized by
regime changes, declaring sovereign countries as enemies and raiding them,
destroying society, and resort to killing rampage with total impunity, promoting,
prolonging and fueling the conflicts as tools to rule the world as unchallenged
power.
The components of the bill, $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.4 billion for Israel as
well as $8.1 billion for Taiwan reflects the USA's priorities to raise tensions and
stakes higher by pumping US war machines, including weapons and ammunition,
into these regions.
This approval of massive aid is not for the love of these recipient countries, but to
keep the US defense industry afloat, as divulged by Senator Mullin, who said in an
interview with Newsmax, "Seventy-five percent total funding would stay within
the United States. That’s what a lot of people don’t realize. This goes to our
defense industry; this goes to replenishing our munitions." While fifteen hard-right
Republican senators who oppose aid to Ukraine voted against the legislation,
stating that Congress was "rushing to further bankroll the waging of a war that has
zero chance of a positive outcome."
The US while announcing the aid package of $ 26.4 billion to Israel has effectively
endorsed the Israel’s annihilation of entire population of Gaza which was equated
by Mr. Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief with the destruction caused by allied
forces to the German cities in world war-II. He added that an assessment by the
World Bank and the United Nations put the cost of rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure
at $90 billion (€84 billion).
The allocation of massive aid and its propensity to purchase additional destructive,
lethal, and precise weapons systems, has emboldened Israel to expand the covert
and overt war theater into Southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, a Shiite movement
exercising influence in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. In Yemen, against Houthi rebels in
Yemen, in Syria against the Zaynabiyoun Brigade and the Fatemiyoun Division. In
Iraq against the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including groups like Asaib
Ahl al Haq, the Badr Organization, and Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba. In Bahrain
and Saudi Arabia against militant groups such as the Al Ashtar Brigades and
Hezbollah al Hejaz, respectively. This aid has equipped Israel militarily and has
given it a go ahead to spread the flame of war in the entire middle east and other
countries connected to and linked with the middle east.
The massive aid and support provided by the US, UK, and the European Union to
Ukraine is likely to escalate the war theater across Europe. Unlike in the Middle
East, where US and allied forces face adversaries with limited capabilities, the
conflict between Russia and Ukraine poses a significant challenge. Russia's
response to recent developments, such as the UK's increase in defense spending by
£75 billion and the European Union's allocation of 2.5% of GDP to bolster defense,
is expected to be robust. Moreover, the formation of a united front by the UK and
Germany against Russia and China and the European Union’s decision to cease
Russian Assets in Europe to compensate Ukraine against war damages initially to
the extent of Euro 30,000 million are adding to the geopolitical tensions.
A notable development is the joint training exercise named "Cold Response,"
which involves over 20,000 soldiers from 13 countries, including the UK, US,
Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada,
conducted across northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. While ostensibly aimed
at supporting Ukraine, there are covert intentions to weaken Russia economically
and militarily. However, such maneuvers are anticipated to come at a considerable
cost to Europe as a whole.
The congressmen and Senator who opposed the bill have strong conviction that if
USA and Europe had not pumped in money to Ukraine the conflict could have
minimal damage, and be resolved at the earlier stage. They believe that pumping
in money and weapons had only exacerbated the conflict and was
counterproductive for Ukraine, its people and Europe as a whole. They suggested
that instead of facilitating a resolution, this support has only fueled the conflict,
leading to further destruction and loss of life and has contributed to instability in
the region and strained diplomatic relations.
They argued that external intervention in conflicts only prolongs suffering and
hindered the prospect of peaceful resolution adding complexities of the conflict
and the potential for unintended consequences resulting from external
involvement.
The approval of $8 billion for Taiwan is viewed as a bold move, potentially
provoking China and challenging it to engage in a direct conflict with the US and
its allies. This aid is explicitly intended to serve as a deterrent against China's
growing influence, with investments in submarine infrastructure aimed at
bolstering Taiwan's defenses against its powerful neighbor.
Critics argue that the US's decision to arm Taiwan is a deliberate attempt to
intimidate China, which advocates for a "One China" policy and seeks to
peacefully integrate Taiwan into mainland China to benefit from its economic
prosperity and growth. However, supplying Taiwan with significant military
hardware is perceived by some as counterproductive, as it risks escalating tensions
and increasing the likelihood of a conflict similar to the situation in Ukraine. Such
a scenario could potentially ignite a broader conflict in the Indo-Pacific and Asia-
Pacific regions, leading to a dangerous standoff.
In essence, the aid package for Taiwan is viewed as a strategic maneuver by the
US to maintain its influence in the region and check China's expansionist
ambitions, but it also carries the risk of exacerbating tensions and destabilizing the
region.
The approval of military aid by the US serves a singular purpose: to maintain the
strength of its defense industry, safeguard American jobs, and ensure prosperity,
safety, and security within the nation. This objective is often achieved through the
proliferation of conflicts in various regions, where the demand for US-made lethal
weapons and ammunition, despite their high price tags, creates lucrative market worldwide.
