Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael
Society & Culture
On this edition of Parallax Views, modern wars in which the U.S. and Western powers invade nations like Iraq and Afghanistan are often waged under the pretext of being necessary "humanitarian interventions". Pro-peace activists and critics of U.S. foreign policy have long argued, however, that claims of "humanitarian intervention" are cover for more sinister motivations From this perspective, U.S. wars are fought for control of resources or for strategic reasons related to the maintenance of Western powers on the geopolitical "Grand Chessboard".
For example, many antiwar activists who marched in opposition to George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq would chant, "No More Wars for Oil!" In other words, the activists believed that war was not fought over WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) or to liberate the Iraqi people, but instead that the invasion was a way to secure resources. The invocation of "humanitarian intervention" in this context, activists claimed, was nothing more than a cynical ruse.
Dr. Philip Cunliffe, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent, however, takes a different, and perhaps even more provocative, approach to critiquing U.S. foreign policy. In his book Cosmopolitan Dystopia: International Intervention and the Failure of the West, Cunliffe wills himself to take the claims of humanitarian interventionists at face value rather than questioning whether they have ulterior motives. In taking this tact he argues that humanitarian intervention, however nobly conceived, has led to a dystopian scenario of "Forever Wars" that have caused more harm than good. Put another way, Cunliffe chooses to question the proposed logic of humanitarian intervention itself and uses examples like the fallout from the U.S.-backed overthrow of Muammar al-Gaddafi in Libya (which has led to the unintended consequence, or "blowback", of sexual slavery and human trafficking making a comeback in the region) to make his case.
Although Cunliffe's argument is controversial, and perhaps even unnerving, it does provide an alternative way of looking at Western wars in the 21st century. As always we attempted to hear our guest out rather than have a shouting match. With that in mind this episode is sure to stir the pot in regards to international relations discussion, but Parallax Views is all about providing listeners with an unconventional viewpoint they may have not considered before. And it is our belief that this conversation with Dr. Cunliffe will certainly provide that in spades.
Also be sure to check out Dr. Cunliffe's podcast Aufhebunga Bunga.
The Stock Market, Inflation & the Crypto Crash w/ Mike Swanson/The Trouble With Passion: How Searching for Fulfillment at Work Fosters Inequality w/ Eric Cech
The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States w/ Matthew Specter/French Post-Election Analysis w/ Marlon Ettinger
Wall Street, the Supermob, and the CIA w/ Jonathan Marshall
PREVIEW: Failed State Update - Gabriel of Urantia Warns of the Apocalypse… But This Time We’re Afraid He Means It
The Supreme Court, Abortion, & ”Deeply-Rooted Tradition” w/ William Hogeland/Yemen & the Ceasefire w/ Nasser Arrabyee/Israel, Palestine, & the Question of Apartheid w/ Yumna Patel
Woke Capitalism: How Corporate Morality is Sabotaging Democracy w/ Carl Rhodes/The Podcaster’s Dilemma: Decolonizing Podcasters in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism w/ Nolan Higdon
Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor/Labor Struggle, MMT, and Resisting the ”Doom Pill” w/ Steve Grumbine
The Apocalypse and the End of History: Modern Jihad and the Crisis of Liberalism w/ Suzanne Schneider
Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders & Intellectuals Speak Out w/ Ramzy Baroud & Ilan Pappé
The Fighting Soul: On the Road With Bernie Sanders w/ Ari Rabin-Havt/The Global Financial Crisis, the Fed, & Quantitative Easing w/ Thomas Hoenig
The Al-Aqsa Mosque Uprising, Israel, and Palestine w/ Richard Silverstein
Attack of the 50 Ft CamGirl w/ Ivy Smith & Jim Wynorski
The Slow Erosion of Pax Americana w/ Doug Bandow/Ernst Jünger, The Human Cost of War, and the Global War on Terror w/ Casey Chalk
Santa Claus is Running for Congress w/ Santa Claus
MONARCH: A Novel w/ Candice Wiehle
The FBI, PATCON, and the Oklahoma City Bombing w/ Ken Silva
UN Report Alleges Apartheid in the Occupied Palestinian Territory w/ Michal Lynk
The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World w/ Dr. Kara Cooney/Gems and Jewels: The Religions of Pakistan w/ Dr. Amineh Hoti
The Imperialist, Occult Ideology of Aleksandr Dugin w/ Wahid Azal
Remembering Peace Activist Rachel Corrie (and the Injustice of Her Death) w/ Cindy and Craig Corrie
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Ghostlore of Hawaii: Paranormal Paradise
That Tracks Podcast With Tim and Nick
The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL