The vast US military machine is capable of demolishing governments and countries—as it has shown recently in Libya and Yemen and Iraq—but it is incapable of bringing peace or progress or prosperity to the conquered. Afghanistan is the latest US-built catastrophe, a classic imperial adventure—the architects will claim that this time was unique, that they came only to civilize and enlighten (to “save the women and the girls” in this case), that they merely wanted to install democracy, and that the death and destruction were an unintended and unhappy by-product. It’s all demonstrably false. Apologists of every stripe claim that the US has the right (even the duty) to invade other countries at will—“We are the exceptional nation.” The arrogance and the assumed superiority are breath-taking. We’re joined today by Timmy Chau, a Chicago-based organizer, lawyer, and facilitator whose work challenges all forms of militarism, policing, and imprisonment. He is Co-Director of the Prison / Neighborhood Arts and Education Project (PNAP) and Co-Founder of Dissenters, a new national youth-led anti-war organization. 

Transition music from Dr. Sparkles’ song Great Bus Journeys of the West Midlands Pt 2 from the album “The War on Drugs.” © License. Disclaimer.  Additional music from Gus O'Connor.