An Israeli weapons contractor is being investigated for an alleged “live fire” test of a suicide drone in Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory whose ownership is disputed by Azerbaijan and Armenia. If the allegations of this drone’s use on Armenian soldiers are true, it would constitute a criminal act and one that testifies to the long reach of the growing military-industrial complex in Israel.
The Military-Industrial Complex has loomed over America ever since President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of its growing influence during his prescient farewell address on Jan. 17, 1961. The Vietnam War followed shortly thereafter, and its bloody consequences cemented the image of the Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) as a faceless cadre of profit-seeking warmongers who’ve wrested control of the foreign policy.
In his first year in office, President Donald Trump has earnestly played the role of salesman-in-chief for United States arms manufacturers.
In this video Dr. Shir Hever talks about the history and evolution of the Israeli military industrial complex from when the Israeli state was formed up until the 1980s.
ABOUT DR. SHIR HEVER
By Richard Falk
Trump as President makes us think as never before about viability of the American version of constitutional democracy, that is, the ‘republic’ that Ben Franklin promised the people at the time of Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
We often forget that Franklin replied to the question by adding several words, “if you’ll keep it.”
Hawks on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. military routinely justify increases in the Defense Department’s already munificent budget by arguing that yet more money is needed to “support the troops.” If you’re already nodding in agreement, let me explain just where a huge chunk of the Pentagon budget — hundreds of billions of dollars — really goes. Keep in mind that it’s your money we’re talking about.
Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson participates in a signing ceremony between President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salam at the Royal Court Palace, May 20, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Abrams battle tanks from the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division on rail cars as they arrive at the Gaiziunai railway station in Lithuania, Feb. 10, 2017.(AP/Mindaugas Kulbis)
We had already counted six major campaign promises – including no O’care repeal and no “America First” foreign policy – already buried (some for the better).
Then came four more major policy reversals earlier this month. Seeking Alpha reports:
