One aspect never mentioned in the Afghanistan discussion is the matter of Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves and pipelines.
Afghanistan has an 800 kilometer border with Iran, and long borders with other states fringing and above the vast oil and gas reserves yet to be exploited by mainly US firms. An amenable government in Khabul will enhance the potential of contracts for US firms in the “-stan” states which surround the Caspian Sea. US companies are known to have been purchasing large expanses of territory, and US military bases continue to expand in the region.
US policy concerning Iran has been in place since at least 1985. NSC security adviser to President Reagan Robert C McFarlane wrote a top secret policy document which he addressed to George Shutlz, and Caspar Weinberger.
The document, dated 17th June 1985 included the following objectives:
1. “Preventing the disintegration of Iran and preserving it as an independent strategic buffer which separates the Soviet Union from the Persian Gulf.”
and
3. “Maintaining access to Persian Gulf oil, and ensuring unimpeded transit of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Other goals included:
“Iran’s resumption of a moderate and constructive role as a member of … the world petroleum economy.”
A paid for Afghan government favourable to the US fits perfectly with past and current US policy towards Iran. Little has changed since McFarlane’s views were first received and supported in the White House.
I’m a Vietnam veteran with three volunteer tours [in country]. I believed, as a naive young man, in America and in our international policies. I have since then taught myself, through much reading, the truth about US foreign policy both now and in the past. I would like to personally thank Mr. Ellsberg, and the many people he has worked with, for the courage and perseverance in speaking honestly about our government and its policies. Mr. Ellsberg’s memoir gave me great insight into the Vietnam experience and allowed me to better understand that era and my place in it. I belive the more we engage in empire building, the more enemies we give birth to.
I do not have the answers to the middle east issues and all its myriad political and social problems. Unfortunately I don’t believe our governments do either. We are deep into a world problem of violence that we may never extricate ourselves from. The truth is we continue to exacerbate and inflame these problems with the obvious and inevitable results; more death. As a species we may have reached a point of not having the capacity to solve the menacing problems we have created.
I recently visited a WII veteran and friend who was dieing of cancer in his home. His most fearful anxiety was not of his impending death but that he was leaving his family a world that, even though he fought to make it safer and more peaceful for them, had fallen into chaos and war. Sadly I do not possess the late Howard Zinn’s optimism or faith in our ability to exact positive change. I too worry about the world I’m leaving my children and grand-children. I carry Vietnam and its lessons and legacy with me daily. In the 40 plus years since then, I have not seen or experienced anything that would give me hope that our government, or anyone else’s, has the strength resources or courage to change the planet into a just and peaceful world. No religion, no nationalist dogma, exists that can influence a world wide change. Thanks for the opportunity to speak my mind and thanks for your hard work in the past.
As a Viet Nam vet myself, I totally agree with Mr. Ellsberg: as Americans, it is our birthright to speak out against oppression, especially that which emanates from within our own ranks. The Founding Fathers were revolutionary in their Zeal, their commitment to Freedom, and the soul-searching that this process entails. Too many Americans today think — for whatever reasons — that their Constitutional duty is to keep silent. This is the path of the slave and the servant. Thanks again Mr. Ellsberg.
Mr. Ellsberg – The parallels between the American experience in Afghanistan, the Soviet experience in Afghanistan and the American experience in Vietnam are chilling. I had hopes that this president would be able to follow a different course – I’m not so sure now. Thanks for getting the word out.
Mr. Ellsberg,
You were kind enough to chat with me after a First Amendment Coalition event in Berkeley a few years back. It’s good to see you’re still out there in the public eye, encouraging dissent. Thank you for all you !
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
One aspect never mentioned in the Afghanistan discussion is the matter of Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves and pipelines.
Afghanistan has an 800 kilometer border with Iran, and long borders with other states fringing and above the vast oil and gas reserves yet to be exploited by mainly US firms. An amenable government in Khabul will enhance the potential of contracts for US firms in the “-stan” states which surround the Caspian Sea. US companies are known to have been purchasing large expanses of territory, and US military bases continue to expand in the region.
US policy concerning Iran has been in place since at least 1985. NSC security adviser to President Reagan Robert C McFarlane wrote a top secret policy document which he addressed to George Shutlz, and Caspar Weinberger.
The document, dated 17th June 1985 included the following objectives:
1. “Preventing the disintegration of Iran and preserving it as an independent strategic buffer which separates the Soviet Union from the Persian Gulf.”
and
3. “Maintaining access to Persian Gulf oil, and ensuring unimpeded transit of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Other goals included:
“Iran’s resumption of a moderate and constructive role as a member of … the world petroleum economy.”
A paid for Afghan government favourable to the US fits perfectly with past and current US policy towards Iran. Little has changed since McFarlane’s views were first received and supported in the White House.
I’m a Vietnam veteran with three volunteer tours [in country]. I believed, as a naive young man, in America and in our international policies. I have since then taught myself, through much reading, the truth about US foreign policy both now and in the past. I would like to personally thank Mr. Ellsberg, and the many people he has worked with, for the courage and perseverance in speaking honestly about our government and its policies. Mr. Ellsberg’s memoir gave me great insight into the Vietnam experience and allowed me to better understand that era and my place in it. I belive the more we engage in empire building, the more enemies we give birth to.
I do not have the answers to the middle east issues and all its myriad political and social problems. Unfortunately I don’t believe our governments do either. We are deep into a world problem of violence that we may never extricate ourselves from. The truth is we continue to exacerbate and inflame these problems with the obvious and inevitable results; more death. As a species we may have reached a point of not having the capacity to solve the menacing problems we have created.
I recently visited a WII veteran and friend who was dieing of cancer in his home. His most fearful anxiety was not of his impending death but that he was leaving his family a world that, even though he fought to make it safer and more peaceful for them, had fallen into chaos and war. Sadly I do not possess the late Howard Zinn’s optimism or faith in our ability to exact positive change. I too worry about the world I’m leaving my children and grand-children. I carry Vietnam and its lessons and legacy with me daily. In the 40 plus years since then, I have not seen or experienced anything that would give me hope that our government, or anyone else’s, has the strength resources or courage to change the planet into a just and peaceful world. No religion, no nationalist dogma, exists that can influence a world wide change. Thanks for the opportunity to speak my mind and thanks for your hard work in the past.
As a Viet Nam vet myself, I totally agree with Mr. Ellsberg: as Americans, it is our birthright to speak out against oppression, especially that which emanates from within our own ranks. The Founding Fathers were revolutionary in their Zeal, their commitment to Freedom, and the soul-searching that this process entails. Too many Americans today think — for whatever reasons — that their Constitutional duty is to keep silent. This is the path of the slave and the servant. Thanks again Mr. Ellsberg.
Mr. Ellsberg – The parallels between the American experience in Afghanistan, the Soviet experience in Afghanistan and the American experience in Vietnam are chilling. I had hopes that this president would be able to follow a different course – I’m not so sure now. Thanks for getting the word out.
Mr. Ellsberg,
You were kind enough to chat with me after a First Amendment Coalition event in Berkeley a few years back. It’s good to see you’re still out there in the public eye, encouraging dissent. Thank you for all you !