new podcast: Indonesia's Defence Dilemma

I am not so confident in that, with the US desperately clinging on their "we are #1" dream and being enraged at the idea of losing that position....
And history has told us they are ready to use any lie to justify starting a war (Tonkin incident, wepons of mass destruction, war on terror....)
I really wonder if they would go to war over Taiwan....but I dont think they will.
The US would probably treat Taiwan as they are treating Ukraine. Supply support but not actively participating in the fighting.
 
Has the US ever ended a war more to the point
Or won one?
Yes everyone, is right in saying how the US did all these horrible things! But it is also true, that they were not the only ones doing this! Colonialism goes back a long ways, with so many other conquering Nations!
Portugal, Holland, France, England, Germany, Russia, Spain, Etc.

This is a story, that has gone on for centuries! So I believe a quote from the Bible says, If you live in a Glass House, Don't throw Stones!!
 
the US did all these horrible things
Wrong...the US DOES all these horrible things !
And concerning colonialisme, at least the countries you mentionned brought infrastructure, schools, industry etc...
What did the US BUILD in all those interventions ?

Nada, zilch, nothing ! See Aghanistan, it is exactly in the same state than 20 years ago.
 
Wrong...the US DOES all these horrible things !
And concerning colonialisme, at least the countries you mentionned brought infrastructure, schools, industry etc...
What did the US BUILD in all those interventions ?

Nada, zilch, nothing ! See Aghanistan, it is exactly in the same state than 20 years ago.
Yes I agree about the US, doing these horrible things, before and now, as you say! But you seem to think, the other Colonizers, were such Saints, and only helped, these Third World countries, while they exploited them! Give us a break, This is Hogwash! I don't think here in Indonesia, 400 years ago, When then Dutch came, that they were here, just to help these Indonesian people! They wanted the Spices, Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon! And somehow, I don't think they came here, and treated these people kindly!
And what about Vietnam? Do you think the French were there, just to teach them how to make Baguettes! Please elaborate why the French came to Vietnam, such a long time ago? I don't mean to offend you, Balifrog! I know how patriotic you are, with being French!

Yes, and not to forget, how lovely the Spanish, treated the natives in Mexico, and South America!
I admit, I am not an expert on these matters, but I do have an inkling on the subject. So let's discuss this subject in an objective manner.
 
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Seems that has everything to do with who is president and the make up of the US Legislature
I think historically it's how long the 'friends' continue to be useful. I can't think of a post WWII President who tried to change that. When said 'friends' are no longer useful, they're cut loose.
 
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The US would probably treat Taiwan as they are treating Ukraine. Supply support but not actively participating in the fighting.
That may depend on whether an alternate source of advanced semiconductors is already available when PRC makes their move.
 
Wrong...the US DOES all these horrible things !
And concerning colonialisme, at least the countries you mentionned brought infrastructure, schools, industry etc...
What did the US BUILD in all those interventions ?

Nada, zilch, nothing ! See Aghanistan, it is exactly in the same state than 20 years ago.
Actually that's not quite true. European colonists including the US built infrastructure mainly to get commodities out of the colonies, and some but not a lot of schools and local industry. They weren't in those colonies to develop value added economic activity. In line with that, Indonesia had a ridiculously low number of local university graduates at independence.
USAID built schools, roads, health care facilities, etc. in Afghanistan. In that respect the effort was there. Unfortunately for all involved though the transition of power was bungled and things went backwards.
 
Yes I agree about the US, doing these horrible things, before and now, as you say! But you seem to think, the other Colonizers, were such Saints, and only helped, these Third World countries, while they exploited them! Give us a break, This is Hogwash! I don't think here in Indonesia, 400 years ago, When then Dutch came, that they were here, just to help these Indonesian people! They wanted the Spices, Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon! And somehow, I don't think they came here, and treated these people kindly!
And what about Vietnam? Do you think the French were there, just to teach them how to make Baguettes! Please elaborate why the French came to Vietnam, such a long time ago? I don't mean to offend you, Balifrog! I know how patriotic you are, with being French!

Yes, and not to forget, how lovely the Spanish, treated the natives in Mexico, and South America!
I admit, I am not an expert on these matters, but I do have an inkling on the subject. So let's discuss this subject in an objective manner.

Actually that's not quite true. European colonists including the US built infrastructure mainly to get commodities out of the colonies, and some but not a lot of schools and local industry. They weren't in those colonies to develop value added economic activity. In line with that, Indonesia had a ridiculously low number of local university graduates at independence.
USAID built schools, roads, health care facilities, etc. in Afghanistan. In that respect the effort was there. Unfortunately for all involved though the transition of power was bungled and things went backwards.
Of course, we (Brits, French, Germans, Dutch, Spanish...) went there to discover, acquire new territories and see what we could get there.
But this this has gone on since the age of times. Think Romans, Ottomans, Chinese and Arabs for example.
Chinese and Arabs sailed to Africa and SEA. The Chinese Silk Road etc...
That we were not specially sweet with the locals, well that's often true as well. But those civilization amongst themselves were not really the "nice guys" !

concerning USAID, yes the intention is good (well, with a bit of manipulation by the CIA...) but the results very poor. I read the report by the Inspector General (? not sure the right name) on what USAID did in Afghanistan and honestly it not very positive to be polite.
And roadbuilding was mainly for military strategic purpose !
OK, breakfast time !
 
Did the US colonize Vietnam? No. The French did and then stated fucking it all up and the US poured in over 3 billion dollars in the late 40s to early 50s. The US went to Vietnam to support the equipment sent to the French. 125 non combat personnel. Later more personnel were sent including some pilots for US Aircraft given to the French but had to fly in those aircraft visually marked as French. Some pilots shot down. Americans working on the release of Japanese prisoners were killed because they were thought to be French. France wanted training for the South's military and asked the US for help again. The US supplied trainers and wouldn't you know it, the French packed up and abandoned the US military still in the ground. After the French run away, the US started down their path of letting politicians run a war instead of experienced military leaders into a failing operation.

People always seem to forget the French's roll in this. Probably for good reason.
 
Did the US colonize Vietnam? No. The French did and then stated fucking it all up and the US poured in over 3 billion dollars in the late 40s to early 50s. The US went to Vietnam to support the equipment sent to the French. 125 non combat personnel. Later more personnel were sent including some pilots for US Aircraft given to the French but had to fly in those aircraft visually marked as French. Some pilots shot down. Americans working on the release of Japanese prisoners were killed because they were thought to be French. France wanted training for the South's military and asked the US for help again. The US supplied trainers and wouldn't you know it, the French packed up and abandoned the US military still in the ground. After the French run away, the US started down their path of letting politicians run a war instead of experienced military leaders into a failing operation.

People always seem to forget the French's roll in this. Probably for good reason.
I was thinking about this subject, and thought of how because of those invasions, all the wonderful things that came from it! Such as! Chilies, and Chocolate, coming to Asia, from Mexico! I hear the Vietnamese make delicious sandwiches, daily with bread made from French ideas! Look at how all the World now, makes delicious treats for the Christmas season, with yummy spices, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, Anise, Cardamon, Etc. Corn from South America, Morphine from the Poppies! Cocaine derivatives, for help with Dental work!
So I hope this puts a more positive note on this subject!
 
Did the US colonize Vietnam? No. The French did and then stated fucking it all up and the US poured in over 3 billion dollars in the late 40s to early 50s. The US went to Vietnam to support the equipment sent to the French. 125 non combat personnel. Later more personnel were sent including some pilots for US Aircraft given to the French but had to fly in those aircraft visually marked as French. Some pilots shot down. Americans working on the release of Japanese prisoners were killed because they were thought to be French. France wanted training for the South's military and asked the US for help again. The US supplied trainers and wouldn't you know it, the French packed up and abandoned the US military still in the ground. After the French run away, the US started down their path of letting politicians run a war instead of experienced military leaders into a failing operation.

People always seem to forget the French's roll in this. Probably for good reason.
US school version ?
 
What was called colonialisme is now named mondialisation / globalization.

In effect subcontract the job to cheap labour in developing countries....
Or buy cheap ore, transport it to the home country and transform it there. (Note that Indonesia is putting a halt to this and demands that transformation is done here, so that the added value goes to Indonesia.

France "used" Africa, now it's the turn of the Chinese and Russian. Harvesting gold, uranium, diamonds, rare earths, etc....

And Chinese buying up plenty agricultural land as well.

Not even speaking about Black Rock, Monsanto and a few others owning 1/3 of.Ukraine's best agricultural land ! Which BTW, they have now lost a good part of ...

But as @Shadrach mentionned, we often overlook the positive points. We discovered a lot of food ingredients which are now part of our daily food.
On the other hand the developing countries discovered our way of life, and surprise, surprise they are now all wanting the same. Nice houses, cars, TV, western (branded) clothes, etc...
 
Care to explain the invaded part?
Invaded means to take over a place by force.
Guam was stolen from the Spanish (Who had previously stolen it) in the Spanish-American War
Hawaii was stolen from the locals because of greed. Rigged elections don't excuse the invasion.
Both are now militarised. It's a little hard to condemn the Chinese for doing this on uninhabited islands when the country complaining did exactly the same on inhabited islands.
It's the same when it comes to the US talking about Chinese military bases outside China. The US has far more, commonly because they invaded countries and built without asking the locals.
China asked and didn't invade anyone.

I'm still trying to work out the world threat posed by China. Their forces, except for the new aircraft carriers, are all local. They have little to project military power beyond their home seas.

It's history, not something to get upset about,
 
I'll get a little anti-China for a moment.
I dislike the way they have infiltrated so many countries with money and promises. However, they build roads, schools, and develop industry rather than bomb and kill in order to get control.
If left with a choice, I'll go with the roads and industry.
 
It is nice you respond to this. I am from Amerika and have never supported the waste, of young people being shipped off to fight for some unknown reason such as Vietnam! Thank you for saying the World needs, Peace and Love! We all know it is the only Way! To chase Money and Hate, will only bring a person to a negative ending!
Obama, was just a puppet in the on going struggle for power and control. He had to do what he was told to do! You cannot eat money! It's time to wake up, and grow a garden!
Money and power drive the very people who control most countries - Including the US and China.
As I mentioned in another post, at least the Chinese aren't bombing their way into the world.
 

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