Bases in allies' lands are generally by mutual agreement and mostly for mutual benefits. Things are very different when the power is all on one side. In many countries, including the US, politicians and their foreign policies often do not reflect their people's values. In some nations, those in power do as they wish, but using brute force is a very crude way to control the population. In the democratic US, politicians and big businesses are experts in very sophisticated mind control and propaganda.
American criminals, and psycopaths common in business and politics, are very capable of doing really nasty things to fellow Americans. They don't all automatically become altruistic and benevolent when dealing with foreigners or when they join the military. It is natural most foreign dealings are for self interests, but the real purposes and the means to achieve them vary from fair to downright evil, hidden from the American people. All those exciting covert actions don't just happen in novels and movies! The book, Confessions of An Economic Hitman, have opened many eyes. Here is
the brief illustration and here's
an interview of its author John Perkins.
Drug money has been financing the nation of US for a long time. Catherine Austin Fitts is a very smart lady and
Narcodollars for Beginners: How the Money Works in the Illicit Drug Trade is a fascinating must read, especially in the off season while waiting for the GP to start.
This is her story.
There are too many things done in their names that American don't, and wouldn't want to, know. Sometimes they are shocked at what is revealed about some past actions, but it's hard to accept what is done under their own watch by the people they vote for. Also much is done by non government organizations, including big corperations and special interest organizations. Almost all African coups and wars, for example, are financed by the West, be they private groups or governments. Often weapons are supplied to both sides by the same people. The West provides cheap weapons and Africans provide cheap lives. The continent is portrayed as desperately poor and people hopelessly ignorant. The truth is it is a continent extremely rich in all kinds of increasingly scarse natural resources coveted by the rich nations, which is why they are being kicked off Earth's life boat by being left to die with AIDS, wars, and famines, which are often induced or ignored.
