I don't like it but without SA, what allies does the US even have in the area?
I wish Iraq would have turned out differently.
US doesn't have allies, like every empire it has interests. Sometimes this interests overlap with other entities (be it countries, or not). This interests can be long term, but sooner or later interests change and suddenly entities no longer have any support ( or become enemies). And US have no qualms doing so.
So is the claim that countries like the KSA are American vassals rather than its allies? I mean, as I understand it, an empire consists of multiple countries.
America does consist of multiple countries. Please consider that the United States acquired most of it’s territory at the expense of Native Americans¹ which are officially “domestic dependent nations”².
For me empire is a country that can easily project their ideology, political/economic will and military streanght outside of its boarders. And does it. For example selling cheap clothes or taxing tea and when people disagree they find their face on the reciving end of a rifle butt.
Better don't read why evangelicals support Israel so much. Or what evangelicals think will happen to Israel after their interest are meet. This interests are deranged and will never happen but people believe in them
and act to fulfill them.
I was wondering if five eyes could be counted as allies, but...
So, do we agree that personal interests are more important than human rights for the US government? I don't agree with that view but at least it's honest to admit it.
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I don't like it but without SA, what allies does the US even have in the area?
I wish Iraq would have turned out differently.
Egypt, Israel, Kuwait and Qatar. Less reliably: Jordan, the U.A.E. and Turkey. Not great, but not untenable.
Israel and Kuwait are both considered allies to the US within the region. Maybe others, but those come to mind.
Saudi Arabia's GDP is worth double and quadruple those, respectively. However, that number isn't so far ahead as to be irreplaceable.
Relationships change, too. The movement in Iran now has the West's popular interest and support.
US doesn't have allies, like every empire it has interests. Sometimes this interests overlap with other entities (be it countries, or not). This interests can be long term, but sooner or later interests change and suddenly entities no longer have any support ( or become enemies). And US have no qualms doing so.
Since when did the USA count as an empire?
https://en.wikipedia.org//wiki/American_imperialism
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/American_Empire
https://warontherocks.com/2015/08/is-america-an-empire/
There's lots of things pointing towards USA being considered an empire. It is of course open to debate.
So is the claim that countries like the KSA are American vassals rather than its allies? I mean, as I understand it, an empire consists of multiple countries.
America does consist of multiple countries. Please consider that the United States acquired most of it’s territory at the expense of Native Americans¹ which are officially “domestic dependent nations”².
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_Wars
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribal_sovereignty_in_the_Unit...
Then by that definition most countries in the top twenty for size can be considered empires.
Only if you use a very generous definition of it ...
For me empire is a country that can easily project their ideology, political/economic will and military streanght outside of its boarders. And does it. For example selling cheap clothes or taxing tea and when people disagree they find their face on the reciving end of a rifle butt.
In general I agree, but Israel seems to be US ally regardless of interest
Better don't read why evangelicals support Israel so much. Or what evangelicals think will happen to Israel after their interest are meet. This interests are deranged and will never happen but people believe in them and act to fulfill them.
I was wondering if five eyes could be counted as allies, but...
So, do we agree that personal interests are more important than human rights for the US government? I don't agree with that view but at least it's honest to admit it.
Yes? Is this in question? Obviously. That doesn’t make human rights irrelevant.
Basically every country sans Iran… (with some other small exceptions)
Wish that Iraq had turned out differently? The outcome was extremely predictable. But that didn’t stop us from trying again in Libya and Syria!