FEBRUARY 29TH, 2020 #16 WE HAVE SPOKEN QUITE A BIT HERE ABOUT THE DEFICIENCIES IN OUR FOREIGN POLICY, HOW OUR CURRENT FOREIGN POLICY DRIVES OUR COUNTRY INTO SEEMINGLY SELF-SERVING ENDLESS WARS. RECENTLY, REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR HAS BROUGHT FORWARD SEVEN BILLS THAT COULD, IF PUT IN EFFECT, CHANGE THAT FOREIGN POLICY AND CREATE A PARADIGM FOR THE UNITED STATES TO REGAIN THE RESPECT OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

Rep. Omar Introduces “Pathway to PEACE,” A Bold Foreign Policy Vision for the United States of America

February 12, 2020 Press Release

I am hoping that the angst of so many Americans about these wasteful, dangerous wars will begin to surface in well-thought out legislative proposals that will be dramatically supported by the public. This may not be the beginning of this effort but it is a rather comprensive one.

PATHWAY TO PEACE – PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON — Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) unveiled the Pathway to PEACE (Progressive, Equitable, and Constructive Engagement), a package of seven bills aimed at reorienting U.S. foreign policy. The package outlines a bold progressive vision to rethink the country’s approach to foreign policy by centering human rights, justice and peace as the pillars of America’s engagement in the world, and making military action a last resort. Prioritizing multilateralism and diplomacy over multilateralism The plan takes into account the experiences of people directly affected by conflict and the long-term consequences of U.S. militarism, acknowledges the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards and is sincere about our values regardless of short-term political convenience.

“As a child, I survived war. I have firsthand experience with how destructive war can be—and I see how our continuous involvement in foreign conflicts is not making our country any safer. It is costing lives, destroying future hopes and dreams, and damaging our reputation in the world,” Rep. Omar said. “I believe in a world where there are no young girls living through war, and no nations that are being destroyed. I believe that when the United States says it champions human rights, democracy, and peace, we should mean it. America has led the world in standing up for human rights before. It’s time for us to seize the mantle of leadership again.”

“No matter who is President, Congress has a crucial Constitutional duty when it comes to matters of foreign affairs. As in our domestic policy, the US has far too often not matched our ideals with our actions. When we are better partners and advocates for our values abroad, we become more secure and prosperous at home.”

“Congresswoman Omar is putting forward an ambitious and comprehensive package that outlines progressive approaches to some of the most important issues facing the United States and our world today – from global migration to the overuse of sanctions; from the promotion of human rights to the protection of the most vulnerable,” said Ben Rhodes, Former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama and Co-chair of National Security Action.

“The US lags behind many other countries in supporting international human rights protections. With an administration that’s a no-show on human rights, it’s important that Congress press forward with resolutions in support of the most vulnerable, including children, migrants and victims of atrocity crimes,” said Andrea Prasow, Acting Washington Director at Human Rights Watch.

 “Our vision for a more progressive U.S. foreign policy is one that recognizes that our values do not stop at the water’s edge; prioritizes diplomacy and multilateralism over militarism; holds all countries, including the U.S., to the same standards; and advances human rights, human security, and justice around the world. ‘A Pathway to PEACE’ is the very embodiment of these principles. We commend Rep. Omar for putting these principles into practice, and call on other members of the House to immediately co-sponsor these important pieces of legislation,” said Kate Kizer, Policy Director at Win Without War.

“CVT applauds Representative Omar for this important effort to align fundamental aspects of U.S. foreign policy with human rights standards and principles,” said Scott Roehm, Director of the Washington Office at the Center for Victims of Torture. “As an organization that provides rehabilitation services to refugee and asylum-seeking torture survivors, and works to end torture worldwide, it is especially refreshing to see a focus on justice and accountability. Equally important, as the Global Migration Agreement Act recognizes, to lead effectively on the international level the U.S. must first get its own house in order. In the refugee and asylum contexts, that means restoring and further strengthening our various protection systems such that they truly reflect global need. Congress’ voice on these issues is critical, especially now. We hope other members will join Representative Omar in promoting a foreign policy approach that lives up to the values the U.S. has long espoused, and in recognizing that oftentimes that work starts at home.

“Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Pathway to Peace proposal is a welcome addition to the public discussion on global peace and security,” said John Glaser, Director of Foreign Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. “Refreshingly, the proposal calls for more robust Congressional oversight of economic sanctions imposed unilaterally on other countries by the executive branch. Equally important, it calls for legislation that would impose conditions on providing security aid and arms to regimes that commit human rights abuses. Finally, Pathway to Peace encourages the United States to bring itself into conformity with international standards and conventions – to practice what we preach around the world, so to speak. We may be at an inflection in US foreign policy. Bold yet practical ideas like these are precisely what’s needed.“

The package includes the following bills.

Global Peacebuilding Act: Authorizes a transfer of $5 billion from the Pentagon’s Overseas Contingency Operations budget to the State Department to create a new, multi-lateral Global Peacebuilding Fund.

NO GLOBAL PEACEBUILDING BILL SEEMS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW

Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act: Establishes red lines based on internationally recognized gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. Once a country crosses those lines, it automatically triggers a prohibition on security aid of any kind, arms sales including those controlled by the Commerce Dept. (tear gas, etc.), and exchanges with U.S. law enforcement.

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE STOP
ARMING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS https://omar.house.gov/sites/omar.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/OMARMN_072_xml.pdf

Global Migration Agreement Act: Instructs the State Department and U.S. Ambassador to the UN to take the lead on creating a binding international agreement on global migration.

CLICK BELOW TO READ
THE GLOBAL MIGRATION BILL
https://omar.house.gov/sites/omar.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/OMARMN_070_xml.pdf

Congressional Oversight of Sanctions Act: Requires a joint resolution of Congress to approve sanctions issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) within 60 days of being back in session after the sanctions are announced, and requires Congressional approval to renew existing sanctions.

CLICK BELOW TO READ
THE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF SANCTIONS BILL
omar.house.gov/sites/omar.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/OMARMN_071_xml[1].pdf

YouthBuild International Act: Replicates the highly successful domestic YouthBuild program – which helps disadvantaged youth obtain the education and employment skills they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

CLICK BELOW TO READ
THE YOUTHBUILD INTERNATIONAL ACT
https://omar.house.gov/sites/omar.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/YouthBuild%20International%20Act.pdf

Resolution on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child: The United States is the only country in the world not to have ratified the UNCRC. Protecting the rights of children is fundamental, and we should be a world leader on this issue, which we can’t be unless we’re a state party to the Convention. Read the bill here.

CLICK HERE TO READ
THE RESOLUTION ON THE U.N. CONVENTION
ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
https://omar.house.gov/sites/omar.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/OMARMN_068_xml.pdf

Resolution on the Rome Statute, and the International Criminal Court: The United States has been a leader on international criminal justice since Nuremberg, and our hostility towards the ICC has always been at odds with our commitment to the rule of law, accountability, and to the principle that no one is above the law. we need to send a strong message in support of international criminal justice. 

CLICK BELOW TO READ
THE RESOLUTION ON THE ROME STATUE
AMD
AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COUT BILL|
https://se.gov/sites/omar.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/OMARMN_067_xml.pdf

Ilhan Omar’s ‘Pathway to Peace’ Would Revolutionize US Foreign Policy

Here is a bit more detailed summary of her plan.

PATHWAY TO PEACE
Sponsored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05)

The United States has a proud history as a leader when it comes to democracy, human rights, international institutions, and the rule of law. Following World War II, our country led the world in establishing the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But as in our domestic policy, we have far too often not matched our ideals with our actions. And in Congress, we have been too reactive to crises, and treated what should be matters of fundamental principles on a case-by-case basis.
No matter who is President, Congress has a crucial Constitutional duty when it comes to matters of foreign affairs. We must begin to reclaim them, and we must move forward with the knowledge that being a better partner and a better advocate for our values abroad makes us more secure and prosperous at home.

INTRODUCING A PATHWAY TO PEACE

The Pathway to Peace is a package of seven bills that rethink our approach to foreign policy. The package outlines a bold vision for a progressive foreign policy— one that centers on human rights, justice and peace as the pillars of America’s engagement in the world, and makes military
action a last resort. It takes into account the experiences of the people directly affected by conflict and the long-term consequences of U.S. militarism, acknowledges the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards and is sincere about our values regardless of short-term political convenience.

• GLOBAL PEACEBUILDING ACT

The GPA authorizes a one-time transfer of $5 billion from the Pentagon’s Overseas Contingency Operations budget to the State Department to create a new, multi-lateral Global Peacebuilding Fund. Peacebuilding has proven to be an effective alternative to military intimidation and coercion. Peacebuilding is also low cost compared to military and security sector programs, and has demonstrated impact in many areas in which the
Pentagon is not equipped to lead overseas.

• STOP ARMING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS ACT

The SAHRAA imposes universal human rights and humanitarian conditions on security cooperation with the United States. The bill establishes red lines based on internationally recognized gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. Once a country crosses those lines, it automatically triggers a prohibition on security aid of any kind, arms sales including those controlled by the Commerce Dept. (tear gas, etc.), and exchanges with U.S. law enforcement. At the same time, it requires the State Dept. to actively work with the country in question to enact justice mechanisms to bring them back into compliance. Separately, it creates a bipartisan, independent commission
modeled after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that will be responsible for making recommendations about countries to list and delist under this law. • Congressional Oversight of Sanctions Act
The COSA requires a joint resolution of Congress to approve sanctions issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) within 60 days of being back in session after the sanctions are announced. The bill also required Congressional approval to renew existing sanctions. Additionally, it carves out additional exceptions for humanitarian
and peacebuilding organizations, and greatly expands the reports required along with sanctions designations. That reporting includes the anticipated and actual effects of sanctions on humanitarian and human rights situations and the US economy. It also requires an explanation for what foreign policy goal is supposed to be achieved with a given sanction, and what the process for delisting an individual, entity, or country would
be. The authors of IEEPA said in their committee report that “a real emergency should be declared…only with respect to a specific set of circumstances which constitute a real emergency, and for no other purpose” and that “the emergency should be terminated in a timely manner when the factual state of emergency is over and not continued in effect for use in other circumstances. A state of emergency should not be a normal state of affairs.” There have been 56 declarations of national emergency under IEEPA, lasting an average of almost a decade. This has only gotten more severe – for emergencies declared in the 2000s, the average length is 12 years. There has been an unbroken national emergency regarding Iran since 1979. Just as we do with AUMFs and emergency powers domestically, we need to restore Congressional oversight.

• YOUTHBUILD INTERNATIONAL ACT

In every region of the world, poverty, inequality and the lack of opportunity are all major drivers of conflict, violence and rising extremism. Economic insecurity and a worldwide job shortage creates a deadly cycle of fighting, intervention and recruitment by terrorist
groups. Meanwhile, the world is getting younger. The global youth population is expected to boom by more than 60% in coming decades. And these young people need jobs, education and opportunity so they can make their way in this world. Which is why we need real investment – an investment in people, if we are to secure real, lasting peace. The YouthBuild International Act will replicate the highly successful domestic YouthBuild program – which helps disadvantaged youth obtain the education and
employment skills they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Replicating this program internationally will put vulnerable young people on a path to prosperity and help them better engage in their communities. This is the kind of partnership the world needs. And it’s the kind of partner we should be.

• GLOBAL MIGRATION AGREEMENT ACT

The GMAA instructs the State Department and U.S. Ambassador to the UN to take the lead on creating a binding international agreement on global migration. The bill also establishes a clear framework for what that agreement should include and address. We approach all of the migration crises in the world on a case-by-case basis – the Rohingya crisis, the Central American refugee crisis, the Syrian refugee crisis – and although each of
them has distinct characteristics, there are common threads that connect them. There are more people forcibly displaced now that at any time in human history – climate change has made the problem exponentially worse, and the severity is only going to increase. This is a global problem that needs a global solution. The bill makes clear that the United States can begin to regain its leadership on this issue by fixing its broken policies
at home. Internationally, the Global Compact on Migration is an important statement of principles, and we should sign it, and then build on it.

• RESOLUTION ON THE U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

The United States is the only country in the world not to have ratified the UNCRC. This is a national embarrassment – there are countries that did not even exist when the Convention was signed that joined it before we did. Protecting the rights of children is fundamental, and we should be a world leader on this issue, which we can’t be unless we’re a state party to the Convention.

• RESOLUTION ON THE ROME STATUE, AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The United States has been a leader on international criminal justice since Nuremberg, and our hostility towards the ICC has always been at odds with our commitment to the rule of law, accountability, and to the principle that no one is above the law. The ICC is an imperfect institution, but it is made up of professionals who have dedicated their lives to the fight against impunity, and we should support them. We can also improve the Court by
being members of it. The Trump Administration’s decision earlier this year to place visa bans and threaten economic sanctions against ICC personnel, including Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, is an unacceptable escalation of U.S. hostility toward the ICC, and we need to send a strong message in support of international criminal justice.

Martin Luther King Interview
–Vietnam /Communism (Merv Griffin Show 1967)–

Martin Luther King Jr. the Lost Speech – Casualties of the Vietnam War

To me, I share Tulsi Gabbard’s emphasis in her campaign that the central problem in America ithat we must fix is our foreign policy, particularly in regards to the use of our military I would probably prefer not to call this policy in respect of armed conflicts either regime change or endless wars. I would prefer to call it imperial militarism on both a grand and smaller level. But all this militarism is supported and justified by a foreign policy that is totally toxic and hypocritical

Many times people speak of the Democratic and Republican organizations as one party. I disagree. I think their leadership and constituency do have very different opinions as how to run the government. However, they are united in one way. They support an imperial policy of military power, economic sanctions and propaganda to disguise the mercenary goals of these policies which serve their powerful corporate donors and the interlinking objectives of intelligence, military, corporate and media which favor these policies. One particularly telling moment was during the State of the Union Speech, which eventually highlighted Nancy Pelosi’s tearing up the transcript of Trump’s speech, but at one moment focused in on her and her democratic colleagues (for the most part) enthusiastically clapping when Trump introduced Juan Guaidó as the true president of Venezuela. For those of us who have studied the issue somewhat, Juan Guaidó is more or less the non-elected President of Venezuela, appointed by Trump to lead their country. Trump’s action to appoint Juan Guaidó is truly the most arrogant, in-your-face repudiation of any kind of democratic government and a bold-facd attempt to demonstrate to the world unashamedly that he can appoint and support a puppet government without any guilt or shame.

The Last American Vagabond, hosted by Ryan Cristián, can be counted on to report on many aspects of our imperialistic intent in so much of our foreign policy. Vanessa Beeley, who is interviewed in today’s show, has a stunning record of reporting, among other things, the events in Syria. For those who are struck by the various extremist groups we fund and protect, completely opposed to our supposed humanistic and democratic philosophies, you have been too entrenched in mainstream narratives. This is one of the programs you should probably check out. Here we give two examples.

Vanessa Beeley Interview – Turkey & US
Openly Protect Extremists In Idlib As Lies Begin To Crumble

We always seem to try and find justifications for our endless wars. Here is a discussion of Israeli government members giving full license of Israel to execute her military actions anywhere she wants and the now weaker justification of the execution of Qassem Soleimani, a dangerous provocative act that outraged Iran and could have even more devastating consequences that now regularly occur.

Israel Says It Can Pass Laws ‘Anywhere’
And ‘Violate Sovereignty’ & US Quietly Admits Soleimani Lie

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