Final Gifts
From Infonomics
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Book Overview
Mr. Scahill reports on Blackwater, a powerful private military force based in North Caroline that operates worldwide, including America.
Blackwater: the World's Most Powerful Army
Blackwater USA is a private mercenary force that operates worldwide, including America. Founded by a right-wing Christian and ex-Navy SEAL named Erik Prince. Claims 20,000 troops, a fleet of 20 aircraft, and its own military base. The author writes that Blackwater may have government contracts in excess of $500 million.
Blackwater Controversy
Is U.S. democracy threatened by a powerful private military force? Should Americans heed President Eisenhower's warning of military-industrial complex where profit-motive and war-making become entangled? Private mercenary armies tends to mitigate democratic checks and balances that might impede the administration’s war-making ability. Blackwater invariably receive lucrative no-bid contracts that rely heavily on cronyism and political connections. Many Blackwater top officials are religious, right-wing zealots that believe the United States is engaged in an epic battle against Muslim forces in defense of Christianity. This same ideal reinforces the worst fear in the Islamic world, namely that the U.S has embarked on a neo-Crusader agenda under the guise of “liberating” Muslim countries.
Elements Resultng in the Demise of the Marshall Plan
Discontent in America increased when it was learned that the Soviet’s were outspending America on military efforts and that China was emerging as an additional communist threat. McCarthyism in America also fueled Americans’ fear and their concerns that the U.S. was spending too much time and money on Western Europe. The North Korea threat forced American to shift focus from Western Europe to it's increased military spending. Eventually, the initial elites managing the Marshall Plan were replaced by lesser enthusiastic Americans, who were viewed as overbearing by the Europeans. When American culture began to infiltrate European culture, many Europeans reacted harshly. Members of Congress argued that the Marshall Plan supported socialist and communist governments, draining America of taxpayer funds, and diverting the country’s resources away from fighting communism. The Marshall Plan was finally terminated on December 31, 1951, six months earlier than originally planned.
George Catlett Marshall
In 1939, President FDR selected George Marshall for the position of Chief of Staff of the US Amry. Marshall transformed the United States military into the most dominant fighting force in the world. In 1947, President Truman selected Marshall to serve as Secretary of State. Marshall, along with leaders from Great Britain and France, made several attempts over a 5-week span to work with the Soviets on post-war reparations, peace treaties, border issues, and control of Germany. Stalin, seeking control of Germany, did not cooperative with the West.
Author, Jeremy Scahill
1. Polk-Award winning investigative journalist
2. He writes for The Nation magazine and he is a correspondent for the national radio and television program Democracy Now.
3. Scahill has reported from Iraq, the former Yugoslavia, and
other hotspots.
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