As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, it is time to take account of its aftermath.
The Iraq and Afghanistan wars, waged more as acts of national rage (fueled by fear), than by cold reason, have devastated two Central Asian countries, causing uncounted death among Afghan and Iraqi nationals, and considerable costs to the US as well.
These wars, more wars of prestige than necessity, have shattered at least 2 countries, and driven the US economy into distemper.
But beyond theories or even our suspicions, wars are fought for measurable goals and objectives. We were told that these wars were part and parcel of the so-called Global War on Terror. It was designed to wipe out a non-state group (Al Qaeda) and reduce the lure of terrorism as a tool of anti-state war.
If that was its intention, things haven’t worked out so well. On 9/11, Al Qaeda had no real global footprint beyond Afghanistan. Today it has affiliates worldwide.
Indeed, the wars gave them new life, energizing them beyond their wildest dreams.
University of Virginia historian, Melvyn P. Leffler (writing in Foreign Affairs (Sept./Oct.2011), citing a 2008 report from the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, found the US “overall position” in the GWOT has “slipped.” While noting some modest gains, the report also states Al Qaeda has become a global movement, amid the spread of the Salafi-Jihadist movement as well.
Iran has been markedly strengthened, not weakened, by the wars. And American allies in the Mid East, many of whom supported the wars, have been dropping like dominoes in a Jamaican speakeasy.
Economically, politically, ideologically, the US is not in a stronger position 10 years after 9/11. Despite the rhetoric of politicians, the 10th year out is nothing to boast about, and unworthy of mindless flag waving.
Quiet reflection, and study, might prove more productive.
An indigenous anti-imperialist activist, Zachary Running Wolf, of Oakland, CA., is calling for a 4-day period of prayer and direct action starting on 9/11. He urges folks to boycott driving, given the centrality of oil in the planning and prosecution of wars for corporate gain.
The Mohawk Nation in Canada has signed on to this “stop driving campaign,” and more are joining.
![Prison Radio is sharing an abbreviated version of a press release covering recent racist incidents at SCI Rockview in PA and the organizing to demand accountability. We are reaching out to people incarcerated at Rockview as well as recently transferred folks, inviting them to call, in hopes of hearing commentaries from them.
Benner Township, PA.-
On November 24th, 2023, imprisoned people at SCI Rockview found two nooses hanging in the CO’s office, displayed visibly for many prisoners to see. When the prisoners asked the staff why the nooses were hung, they were told it was a joke.
By December 4th, prisoners filed a grievance to document what they saw, noting that the hanging of the nooses was “unethical, racially motivated, hateful, [a] deliberate debasement of black inmates" and “unsafe for inmates, staff, [and] the whole prison in general.” In the grievance, they demanded that Sgt. Mosser and CO Richard be fired and investigated for a hate crime, and for CO Kirchner to get therapy. Captain Andrews, the head of security, denied the grievance.
The sergeant and COs are still working in the prison to this day, with no repercussions...
As of March 10th, prisoners have reached out to Pennsylvania officials at the Dept. of Corrections in a letter campaign, sending 100 copies of the grievance. Copies of the letter also were mailed to Governor Shapiro, Senator Fetterman, Senator Street, and various advocacy groups. The demands for relief in the original grievance have now become the platform of demands for this campaign. About 20 of the 100 letters were withheld by the prison.
Activists on the outside are joining forces with prisoners to elevate their demands, flooding the phone lines of DOC offices, assisting with outreach to media, and circulating the stories of prisoners who have found unity in opposition to the facility's virulent institutional racism.
In any other workplace, hanging a noose would be grounds for immediate termination. However, Nicki Paul, the superintendent's assistant and "grievance coordinator" informed the public that they self-investigated their staff and found they did nothing wrong.
Read the full article at i
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