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U.S. Imperialism- A global threat.

Hamdhan Shakeel

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The current trend of de-dollarization is a sign of shift in geopolitical powers. The U.S. backed by its U.S. Dollar has dominated global politics since the early 1900’s. This is also in part due to their military-industrial complex which finances the U.S. economy war after war since its inception.

Since signing the Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776, the U.S. has waged war a total of 93 times. Meaning on average the U.S has waged a new war every 2.6 years.

If we are to look at its current military empire, the U.S. has 800 military bases around the world. In comparison, France, UK and Russia has a combined total of 30 military bases around the world. Even China has only 4 overseas military bases, of which one is used for space explorations.

It is evident from these figures alone just how much of a global threat the U.S. has become unchecked. The U.S. has repeatedly waged asymmetrical war on under armed and underdeveloped or developing countries in the name of democracy and security. In Iraq alone, more than 800,000 people have been killed as a direct result of war by the U.S. according to the Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs.

If we are to look at even more recent times, the U.S Special Operations Command (SOCOM) revealed that there are US Special Forces operating in 134 countries in special operations or combat. Out of 195 countries in the world, the U.S. has their armed special forces members in 134 countries. That alone is enough to warrant a second thought into American imperialism.

American imperialism stems from their ideology that the U.S. is exceptional and that they have the burden of “showing” the world the “right” way. The infamous “White Man’s Burden” has led the U.S. to interfere in nations halfway around the globe, bringing forth centuries long struggles which has shaped the history and culture of multiple nations.

The U.S. war against Philippines, which was labelled as an insurrection is one such struggle which had led to a myriad of issues for the natives of the island nation. Philippines which had been under the colonial control of Spain, was “handed over” to the U.S. after the Treaty of Paris in 1898 following the end of the Spanish-American war.

Fueled by its need to expand its trade and commerce, the U.S. usurped control over Philippines, mounting an indiscriminate attack against its local population in a bid to suppress dissent. This led to serious violation of human rights at the hands of the American army. In one infamous incident, General Jacob H. Smith ordered to “Kill everyone over the age of ten”.

While 200,000 to 1,000,000 civilians died, the U.S. essentially reshaped the cultural identity of Philippines. English language became widespread during the American occupation, reshaping the cultural identity of Philippines. While the U.S. managed to create an image on “civilizing” the “islanders”, if we look past the U.S. privilege, we would see that it is in fact to an extent cultural genocide.

The U.S. war on terror is another example of its imperialism. Following the 9/11 terror attack, the U.S. launched its war on terror starting with deposing its former allies, the Taliban in Afghanistan.

After $2.3 trillion and 212,191 dead, the U.S. exited the stage in Afghanistan with the Taliban back in power posing question on what exactly did they do during their occupation of Afghanistan.

The second name on the U.S’ war on terror was Iraq and its long-time leader Saddam Hussain. This time around, the narrative was that Saddam Hussain was housing “Weapons of Mass Destruction” and had close links to Al-Qaeda. In 2003 a U.S led coalition launched an attack in Iraq, deposing their leader.

After spending $1.9 trillion and causing the death of over 208,000 Iraqis, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the multinational fact-finding mission Iraq Survey Group found no Weapons of Mass Destruction nor any substantial links to Al-Qaeda.

As the U.S. embarks on its next decade of war to maintain its position of power, the U.S. has set its eyes on its next target, China. It is an undeniable fact that the development of China and its economic sphere of influence is a threat to the U.S’ hold on the global economy.

The U.S. has long held control over the rest of the world through its military might while donating fractions to the cost of their influence and presence around the globe. China’s approach to garnering international support comes in the form of meaningful substantial development projects for developing countries, granting economic independence from western states. This in turn fuels the west’s China bashing and anti-China rhetoric’s.

The demonizing of China and its socioeconomic growth along with its “shared future for humanity” based foreign policy is undoubtedly due to the Chinese economy outpacing the west.  But, the U.S. may have met its match as China and its allies including Russia has solidified their stand against the U.S. military and its war mongering practices.

It is an undeniable fact that the U.S. “military empire” has become a global threat.  Will the international community continue to enable the U.S’ exploitation of the developing world? Will the world continue to turn a blind eye to the atrocities done and enabled by the U.S.? While we may not get an answer for these questions, one fact remains clear, it is in the best interest of the U.S. and the rest of the globe that the U.S. adopt a more diplomatic attitude in dealing with China.

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Nasheed to form new party

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The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

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MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

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Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

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The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

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The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.

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