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Thread: Sanders tells New York Times he would consider a preemptive strike against Iran or North Korea

  1. #1

    Sanders tells New York Times he would consider a preemptive strike against Iran or North Korea

    Bernie Sanders has won the popular vote in both the New Hampshire and Iowa presidential primary contests in considerable part by presenting himself as an opponent of war. Following the criminal assassination of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani last month, Sanders was the most vocal of the Democratic presidential aspirants in criticizing Trump’s action. His poll numbers have risen in tandem with his stepped-up anti-war rhetoric.
    He has repeatedly stressed his vote against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, reminding voters in the Iowa presidential debate last month, “I not only voted against that war, I helped lead the effort against that war.

    However, when speaking to the foremost newspaper of the American ruling class, the New York Times, the Sanders campaign adopts a very different tone than that employed by the candidate when addressing the public in campaign stump speeches or TV interviews.
    The answers provided by Sanders’ campaign to a foreign policy survey of the Democratic presidential candidates published this month by the Times provide a very different picture of the attitude of the self-styled “democratic socialist” to American imperialism and war. In the course of the survey, the Sanders campaign is at pains to reassure the military/intelligence establishment and the financial elite of the senator’s loyalty to US imperialism and his readiness to deploy its military machine.
    Perhaps most significant and chilling is the response to the third question in the Times’ survey.
    Question: Would you consider military force to pre-empt an Iranian or North Korean nuclear or missile test?
    Answer: Yes.
    A Sanders White House, according to his campaign, would be open to launching a military strike against Iran or nuclear-armed North Korea to prevent (not respond to) not even a threatened missile or nuclear strike against the United States, but a mere weapons test. This is a breathtakingly reckless position no less incendiary than those advanced by the Trump administration.
    Sanders would risk a war that could easily involve the major powers and lead to a nuclear Armageddon in order to block a weapons test by countries that have been subjected to devastating US sanctions and diplomatic, economic and military provocations for decades.
    Moreover, as Sanders’ response to the Times makes clear, the so-called progressive, anti-war candidate fully subscribes to the doctrine of “preemptive war” declared to be official US policy in 2002 by the administration of George W. Bush. An illegal assertion of aggressive war as an instrument of foreign policy, this doctrine violates the principles laid down at the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi officials after World War II, the United Nations charter and other international laws and conventions on war. Sanders’ embrace of the doctrine, following in the footsteps of the Obama administration, shows that his opposition to the Iraq war was purely a question of tactics, not a principled opposition to imperialist war.
    The above question is preceded by another that evokes a response fully in line with the war policies of the Obama administration, the first two-term administration in US history to preside over uninterrupted war.
    Question: Would you consider military force for a humanitarian intervention?
    Answer: Yes.
    Among the criminal wars carried out by the United States in the name of defending “human rights” are the war in Bosnia and the bombing of Serbia in the 1990s, the 2011 air war against Libya that ended with the lynching of deposed ruler Muammar Gaddafi, and the civil war in Syria that was fomented by Washington and conducted by its Al Qaeda-linked proxy militias.
    The fraudulent humanitarian pretexts for US aggression were no more legitimate than the lie of “weapons of mass destruction” used in the neo-colonial invasion of Iraq. The result of these war crimes has been the destruction of entire societies, the death of millions and dislocation of tens of millions more, along with the transformation of the Middle East into a cauldron of great power intervention and intrigue that threatens to erupt into a new world war.
    Sanders fully subscribes to this doctrine of “humanitarian war” that has been particularly associated with Democratic administrations.


    In response to a question from the Times on the assassination of Suleimani, the Sanders campaign calls Trump’s action illegal, but refuses to take a principled stand against targeted assassinations in general and associates itself with the attacks on Suleimani as a terrorist.
    The reply states:
    Clearly there is evidence that Suleimani was involved in acts of terror. He also supported attacks on US troops in Iraq. But the right question isn’t ‘was this a bad guy,’ but rather ‘does assassinating him make Americans safer?’ The answer is clearly no.
    In other words, the extra-judicial killing of people by the US government is justified if it makes Americans “safer.” This is a tacit endorsement of the policy of drone assassinations that was vastly expanded under the Obama administration—a policy that included the murder of US citizens.
    At another point, the Times asks:
    Would you agree to begin withdrawing American troops from the Korean peninsula?
    The reply is:
    No, not immediately. We would work closely with our South Korean partners to move toward peace on the Korean peninsula, which is the only way we will ultimately deal with the North Korean nuclear issue.
    Sanders thus supports the continued presence of tens of thousands of US troops on the Korean peninsula, just as he supports the deployment of US forces more generally to assert the global interests of the American ruling class.
    On Israel, Sanders calls for a continuation of the current level of US military and civilian aid and opposes the immediate return of the US embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
    On Russia, he entirely supports the Democratic Party’s McCarthyite anti-Russia campaign and lines up behind the right-wing basis of the Democrats’ failed impeachment drive against Trump:
    Question: If Russia continues on its current course in Ukraine and other former Soviet states, should the United States regard it as an adversary, or even an enemy?
    Answer: Yes.
    Question: Should Russia be required to return Crimea to Ukraine before it is allowed back into the G-7?
    Answer: Yes.


    More at: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/202.../sand-f14.html
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
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    A Zero Hedge comment



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  3. #2
    Question: If Russia continues on its current course in Ukraine and other former Soviet states, should the United States regard it as an adversary, or even an enemy?
    Answer: Yes.
    Question: Should Russia be required to return Crimea to Ukraine before it is allowed back into the G-7?
    Answer: Yes.
    Crimea is a done deal and its not going to be returned maybe Russia should bring up the issue of Kosovo and Serbia before Americans bring up the issue of Crimea or the former soviet states

    Sanders is showing his neo leftist neocon side. A lying Sanders who loves to push radical communist agendas in America while wanting a war with Russia or Iran.

    Not a surprise about this.

    The only reason Sanders and Americans are upset over Crimea they lost a chance to build a NATO naval base which would being 1 inch closer to Moscow you honesty thought that the Russians would allow that?


    I wonder how America would treat Russians training in Mexico near American borders? American forces/NATO forces creeping former Soviet states building bases near Russian borders meanwhile is completely normal right?
    Last edited by AngryCanadian; 02-15-2020 at 09:25 PM.

  4. #3
    How Current America see itself both parties.
    "We wont leave Iraq! nor Europe!"


  5. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by AngryCanadian View Post
    Crimea is a done deal and its not going to be returned maybe Russia should bring up the issue of Kosovo and Serbia before Americans bring up the issue of Crimea or the former soviet states

    Sanders is showing his neo leftist neocon side. A lying Sanders who loves to push radical communist agendas in America while wanting a war with Russia or Iran.

    Not a surprise about this.

    The only reason Sanders and Americans are upset over Crimea they lost a chance to build a NATO naval base which would being 1 inch closer to Moscow you honesty thought that the Russians would allow that?


    I wonder how America would treat Russians training in Mexico near American borders? American forces/NATO forces creeping former Soviet states building bases near Russian borders meanwhile is completely normal right?
    Sanders is much worse than Trump.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment

  6. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    Sanders is much worse than Trump.
    He is. I dont see him winning. Sanders pretends to be anti war but his just like Bill Clinton his quite the interventionist for the cameras.

  7. #6
    They should have manned up and asked him how he was going to pay for these attacks and his agenda .
    Do something Danke

  8. #7
    There is no anti-war position from either party. There's talk but we all know that's cheap.

    We're being governed ruled by a geriatric Alzheimer patient/puppet whose strings are being pulled by an elitist oligarchy who believe they can manage the world... imagine the utter maniacal, sociopathic hubris!

  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Pauls' Revere View Post
    There is no anti-war position from either party. There's talk but we all know that's cheap.
    Trump is the best anti-war choice we have.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment



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  11. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    Trump is the best anti-war choice we have.
    Just a lesser of evils.

    We're being governed ruled by a geriatric Alzheimer patient/puppet whose strings are being pulled by an elitist oligarchy who believe they can manage the world... imagine the utter maniacal, sociopathic hubris!

  12. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Pauls' Revere View Post
    Just a lesser of evils.
    I think he's the least possible good.

    He's getting us out of Afghanistan and he hasn't started any new shooting wars.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment

  13. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    Trump is the best anti-war choice we have.
    Saying Trump is the best anti war choice we have is like saying when choosing between and cheetah and a tiger which has the most dog features. Cheetahs are the closest animal we have to a dog because just like dogs,it doesn't have retractable claws.

    Just like in my absurd example, your absurd claims even if true makes very little difference seeing as the degree of difference is so small between the 2.

  14. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by juleswin View Post
    Saying Trump is the best anti war choice we have is like saying when choosing between and cheetah and a tiger which has the most dog features. Cheetahs are the closest animal we have to a dog because just like dogs,it doesn't have retractable claws.

    Just like in my absurd example, your absurd claims even if true makes very little difference seeing as the degree of difference is so small between the 2.



    He's getting us out of Afghanistan and he hasn't started any new shooting wars.
    He will get us out of more places too.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment

  15. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post



    He's getting us out of Afghanistan and he hasn't started any new shooting wars.
    He will get us out of more places too.
    I am sure he will bring the troops home from Afghanistan. I will just start acknowledging it when the actually withdraw. Plus seeing how he is increasing defense spending, troop levels in the ME, continuing to talk about how Maduro needs to go, I will go with Trump not withdrawing from anywhere.

  16. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by juleswin View Post
    I am sure he will bring the troops home from Afghanistan. I will just start acknowledging it when the actually withdraw. Plus seeing how he is increasing defense spending, troop levels in the ME, continuing to talk about how Maduro needs to go, I will go with Trump not withdrawing from anywhere.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment

  17. #15
    Tad bit surprising that this statement came this early in the season, couple of possible exaplanation for putting on the 'hawk hat' by the leading Dem Socialist (incidentallt quite a few of Sander's supporters apparently saw pro-Iran war globalist Adelson funded Trump as their second best choice, Trump had recently ordered pre-emptive strike that killed top Iranian general. Sanders supporters vow to support Trump if Bernie isn’t the nominee).


    Bernie is starting to see himself as a real leading candidate now and is trying to court pro Iran war loobies with deep pockets. Pro-Israel and so called 'Jewish lobby' has for years favored strong sanctions/militray action stance against Iran ( there was a WaPo report saying that 67% of all Dem funding comes from Jewish donors).

    Second possible explanation is that he needed a cource correction after following reports to 'fix' his image as a strong supporter of Israel.



    Fox C&B: Sanders’ criticism of Israel makes him ideal candidate for opponents of Jewish state


    CNN.com

    Bernie Sanders may soon have to confront this anti-Semitic myth
    washingtonpost.com › outlook › 2020/01/27 › anti-semites-see-so...
    Jan 27, 2020 - As Iowa's Democratic caucuses approach, polls show that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is gaining traction. Sanders evokes strong reactions from ...

    Is Bernie Sanders anti-Semitic? Why new right-wing smears ...
    nbcnews.com › think › opinion › bernie-sanders-jewish-liberal-...
    Dec 17, 2019 - Bernie Sanders is Jewish, liberal and probably anti-Semitic, according to the right.




    Any other plausible explanation?

  18. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by oyarde View Post
    They should have manned up and asked him how he was going to pay for these attacks and his agenda .
    But then they would have to ask all of the other Demoncrats the same kind of questions.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment



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  20. #17
    Too many people think Bernie sanders is a Non Interventionist.
    That's a big problem!

  21. #18
    So much for Sanders saying that hes anti-war.
    "Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of my administration is minding my own business."

    Calvin Coolidge

  22. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Anti Globalist View Post
    So much for Sanders saying that hes anti-war.
    People like Kyle Kulinski & Jimmy Dore who are real Non Interventionists think Bernie is a Non Interventionist but they refuse to speak about his vote on the Kosovo war.

  23. #20
    I guess have Bernie send me his details for the north Korean strike and I will review and at least let him know if it is feasible . Until then lets go ahead and withdraw from Iraq , Afghanistan, Saud and South Korea .
    Do something Danke

  24. #21
    If there are plans for iran , mexico or Canada I can go ahead and stamp those No right away , no need for review.
    Do something Danke

  25. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by Sammy View Post
    Too many people think Bernie sanders is a Non Interventionist.
    That's a big problem!
    This needs to be spread around.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment



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