Col. Douglas Macgregor on Interventionism vs the American Way
David Gornoski
Deep Dive
Why does Col. Douglas Macgregor criticize the idea of transforming Iraq into a liberal democracy?
Col. Douglas Macgregor criticizes the idea as unrealistic and insane, stating that it had no chance of happening. He mocks the notion by suggesting those who believed in it should continue taking whatever they were on to stay happy, emphasizing the futility of such a plan.
What is the impact of occupations according to Col. Douglas Macgregor?
Occupations turn soldiers into jailers and the local population into prisoners. Macgregor argues that no one wants to be policed by foreigners, using his own neighborhood in North Philadelphia as an example to illustrate that such interventions would likely lead to resistance and violence.
What historical example does Col. Douglas Macgregor use to criticize military interventions?
Macgregor references the Battle of Algiers, where the French killed at least 20,000 people, yet Algiers is not under French rule today. He uses this example to highlight the futility and destructiveness of such interventions.
What does Col. Douglas Macgregor say about the motivations behind U.S. involvement in Ukraine?
Macgregor criticizes the idea that the U.S. is in Ukraine to control resources, such as those in the Donbass or offshore oil in the Black Sea. He views these justifications as retrospective attempts to rationalize what he considers to be a misguided and unnecessary intervention.
What is Col. Douglas Macgregor's view on the value of human life in foreign interventions?
Macgregor believes that all human beings have value, regardless of nationality, and opposes the idea that some lives are more expendable than others. He criticizes the notion that certain groups, like Iranians or Russians, should be targeted for destruction through sanctions or proxy wars.
What does Col. Douglas Macgregor suggest about the just war doctrine?
Macgregor advocates for revisiting the just war doctrine, emphasizing the need for moral justification before engaging in military actions. He criticizes the lack of deliberation and moral consideration in current foreign policy decisions.
What does Col. Douglas Macgregor say about the role of lobbies in U.S. foreign policy?
Macgregor argues that lobbies influence U.S. foreign policy by pressuring politicians with financial incentives, leading to decisions that lack moral or strategic justification. He criticizes this process for bypassing necessary deliberation and ethical considerations.
What is Col. Douglas Macgregor's perspective on the U.S. relationship with Israel and Iran?
Macgregor believes that the U.S. cannot make the world safe for Israel through military power alone and calls for diplomacy and compromise. He also notes that Iran has expressed a willingness to coexist with Israel, but not as a vassal state of the U.S. or Israel.
What is Col. Douglas Macgregor's concern about the future of U.S. foreign policy?
Macgregor fears that the U.S. could face a nuclear confrontation if it continues to impose its will on other nations without consultation or respect for their sovereignty. He warns against the dangers of a foreign policy that treats some people as subhuman based on ethnicity.
What does Col. Douglas Macgregor emphasize about the reality of war?
Macgregor stresses that war is not an entertainment device and that human lives are at stake. He urges people to remember that those affected by war are real individuals, not just images on a screen, and to consider the human cost of military actions.
- Failure of transforming Iraq into a liberal democracy
- Negative impact of occupation on soldiers and civilians
- The example of the Battle of Algiers and its consequences
Shownotes Transcript