Soon after developing and using nukes to kill and injure hundreds of thousands in Japan, the U.S. renamed the Department of War to the Department of Defense. That name was always a sham, using trickery and word-play to misinform.
Now that the Trump fascist regime is calling it the “War Department,” the name is more accurate. But the context is all the more chilling.
Last week, Trump and Vance bragged about a military strike that killed 11 people in the Caribbean Sea. They claimed these 11 were gang members smuggling drugs into the U.S. From Trump’s Truth Social account:
So? Has Congress declared war on Venezuela? Not yet, but this could be an opening shot. Was there any judicial warrant authorizing arrest, detention, or execution of these 11 people? No. That’s apparently what it means now to have a U.S. Department of War.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is sailing towards Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian supplies seeking to break the Israeli siege. Port workers in Genoa, Italy are threatening a lockdown if Israel harasses the Flotilla. The World Federation of Trade Unions said dock workers in Italy, Greece, France and other major ports will then refuse “to load weapons and military equipment destined for Israel,” under guidelines of their unions.
Meanwhile, there are questions being raised about how the UN General Assembly which begins on September 9 will respond to Israel’s ever-escalating genocide and continued occupation and expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Grassroots political pressure is building to turn the strong words in International Court of Justice rulings and UN resolutions into meaningful action.
If the large majority of countries that have already voted for an end to the occupation are ready to back their words and their votes with coordinated action, a UN-led trade boycott, divestment campaign and arms embargo can put enormous pressure on Israel to end its genocide and starvation of Gaza, and its occupation of Palestine. With full participation by enough countries, Israel’s position could quickly become unsustainable. Read more here.