Jimmy Carter: US is the ‘most warlike nation in history of the world’
written by Common Dreams April 18, 2019 https://www.alternet.org/2019/04/jimmy-carter-us-is-the-most-warlike-nation-in-history-of-the-world/
The only US president to complete his term without war, military attack or occupation has called the United States “the most warlike nation in the history of the world.”
During his regular Sunday school lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter revealed that he had recently spoken with President Donald Trump about China. Carter, 94, said Trump was worried about China’s growing economy and expressed concern that “China is getting ahead of us.”
Carter, who normalized diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing in 1979, said he told Trump that much of China’s success was due to its peaceful foreign policy.
Carter then referred to the US as “the most warlike nation in the history of the world,” a result, he said, of the US forcing other countries to “adopt our American principles.”
“Since 1979, do you know how many times China has been at war with anybody?” Carter asked. “None, and we have stayed at war.” While it is true that China’s last major war—an invasion of Vietnam—occurred in 1979, its People’s Liberation Army pounded border regions of Vietnam with artillery and its navy battled its Vietnamese counterpart in the 1980s. Since then, however, China has been at peace with its neighbors and the world.
“The only US president to complete his term without war or military attack . . . ” There was the Iran Hostage Crisis during which Carter authorized (didn’t he?) Operation Eagle Claw, which turned out to be an abject failure. So I suppose that does not count. As for the Chinese being peaceful, and not spending a penny on war, I beg to differ. How about their skirmishes with Indian forces, were they no-cost actions? Why go back no further than 1979? Look up the invasion of Tibet, and tell me why the Dalai Lama fled for his life to the US. Then tell me there is no budget in the Chinese military for military action against Taiwan, or Japan regarding disputed islands. I also remember the Chinese military challenging US and other aircraft and vessels in international space. China is biding its time making a massive military buildup, including new generation space weaponry. I can not see this as benign as Carter seems to. I also remember Carter being shocked to learn that Soviets lied to him. I wish he would stop viewing every other country on earth as nicer than the US.
Hello John, thank you for your comment. Following are my responses to your key points.
You wrote “‘The only US president to complete his term without war or military attack…’ There was the Iran Hostage Crisis during which Carter authorized (didn’t he?) Operation Eagle Claw, which turned out to be an abject failure. So I suppose that does not count.” No, I would count that as a military failure with the intention of rescuing American citizens from their reaction to US interference in their country.
You followed with, “As for the Chinese being peaceful, and not spending a penny on war, I beg to differ. How about their skirmishes with Indian forces, were they no-cost actions? Why go back no further than 1979?” Yes, we can even go back to the period when China basically populated all of SE Asia.
And, “Look up the invasion of Tibet, and tell me why the Dalai Lama fled for his life to the US.” THAT is a GOOD present-day objection!! Except the Dalai Lama didn’t flee to the US, but to Dharamsala, India.
“Then tell me there is no budget in the Chinese military for military action against Taiwan, or Japan regarding disputed islands. I also remember the Chinese military challenging US and other aircraft and vessels in international space. China is biding its time making a massive military buildup…” Sure, they intend to “re-capture” their presence in SE Asia, but they have no where near the logistical advantage the US has and their present economy couldn’t support such a build-up.
“…including new generation space weaponry. I can not see this as benign as Carter seems to.” No, space weaponry development IS NOT a good sign but, at the same time, are we so imperialistic that we think we can impose all altruistic values…which we don’t follow, ourselves…on all other countries around the globe?
“I also remember Carter being shocked to learn that Soviets lied to him.” Sure, Carter was/is benign on that score… look at tRump for an even worse case.
“I wish he would stop viewing every other country on earth as nicer than the US.” He is seeing the fact that the US is operating as an imperialistic country, such as Rome in its day and England in its. Generally, imperialistic countries don’t “act nice.”
Thanks again for initiating this discussion.
~ Don Chapin