“Peace Through Strength”: A Gateway to War?
NATO and the EU’s fears of being abandoned by the US could easily spin out of control.
Freddie Ponton
21st Century Wire
Trump’s assertion that he could resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict within 24 hours of assuming the presidency is emblematic of his characteristic hyperbole; however, it reflects the sentiments of an individual who has evidently grown weary of the ongoing war and the financial burdens associated with America’s participation. Achieving “peace through strength” does not necessarily mean “peace through war” – NATO and the EU’s fears of being abandoned by the US could easily spin out of control. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the visibility of the work conducted covertly and sometimes illegally by the US and its allies’ intelligence agencies. It is the role of journalists to expose the underlying cause of these proxy wars and unnecessary suffering – if not, the “peace through war” rhetoric will gain ground and invade our screens for the years to come.
The Latin phrase “si vis pacem, para bellum,” which translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war,” originated in the fourth century. However, the underlying concept can be traced back to the second century, specifically to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who is credited with the principle of achieving “peace through strength, or, if that fails, peace through intimidation.”
The expression “Peace through strength” conveys the notion that the military might serve as a means to maintain or restore peace. Various leaders have employed this phrase throughout history, including former US President Ronald Reagan during the 1980s. The principle is often linked to the practice of realpolitik, however, it has faced criticism; for instance, American historian Andrew Bacevich argues that the phrase can readily transform into the justification of “peace through war”, a concept that is all too familiar and that has filed our screens for years, with NATO pushing for more war in Ukraine to achieve leverage rather than peace or the ongoing slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza so that Israel, a so-called beacon of democracy can have peace, torturing and killing civilians while illegally expanding its territory.
In a recent article published by The Hill and titled “Ukraine faces a cold, dark winter after Russia’s energy strikes” Oleksandra Matviichuk, a so-called opinion contributor and Ukrainian human rights lawyer based in Kyiv, openly thanks the U.S for having “permitted Ukraine to strike military targets in Russia with long-range missiles”, a statement that seems to comfort Bacevich’s conclusion.
During another interview with “Democracy Now”, Oleksandra Matviichuk stated “Peace doesn’t come when a country (Ukraine) which was invaded stops resisting to Russian aggression. That’s not peace. That’s occupation,” adding, “I hope Trump will use this famous Reagan principle of “peace through strength,” openly advocating the murky American “Project Democracy” and its international agenda promoted in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan upon his entry into office.
Ukrainian human rights lawyer @avalaina says ending the war in Ukraine requires stopping Russian aggression, not forcing an invaded country to accept Putin’s demands. “That’s not peace. That’s occupation.” pic.twitter.com/Z4l4J5EDsb
— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) December 31, 2024
As part of “Project Democracy” abroad, Reagan proposed a government-funded and privately-run foundation to openly support “democratic movements abroad,” which by 1983 became known as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an organisation whose roots trace back to 1967.
Project Democracy was presented as a dedicated initiative to defeating the authoritarian threat, building more resilient democratic institutions, and protecting freedom and liberal democracy around the World. It took almost 10 years before people started to realise that there was more to this foundation, run by experts in litigation, legislative and communications strategies, technology, research and media – all operating under a sophisticated US intelligence apparatus, whose role was to secure the United States desired outcome of an election – the rule of law and fact-based debate being relegated to the back burner.
In reality, behind the disguise of a so-called democratic initiative, lies an intelligence gathering machine known as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – a so-called humanitarian organisation with its own funding mechanism and NGO networks, which under the pretense of “strengthening regional peace and stability” (SRPS) promotes regime change and destabilization in a manner consistent both with the broad concerns of US national interests (global dominance) and with the specific requirements of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Historically speaking, countries which were unfortunate or naive enough to welcome the US and its infamous agencies at their table, are known to have paid a heavy price for it, endangering in the process the sovereignty of their country.
Perhaps “Democracy Now” could have asked Oleksandra Matviichuk about her views on the USAID’s Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization which has five offices in Washington and leads and coordinates USAID’s investments in so-called peacebuilding, addressing state fragility and political transition. They could also have asked Oleksandra about the activities of USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) which has been in Ukraine since 2014, working with Ukrainian civil society, government and media – sadly, the media do play a crucial part in the destabilisation of a country.
The activities of the CIA and USAID, often conducted under the umbrella of the National Endowment for Democracy, are well documented and among the many who have dared to expose these agencies’ (interagency) practices and their role in fulfilling the United States foreign policies and imperialism goals, you will find Philip Agee, a former officer at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and best-selling author, who back in 1995 turned whistleblower to describe this phenomenon.
During an interview recorded in 1995, he articulated with great eloquence, how the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) was installed by the CIA to create instability in the name of “Democracy”.
VIDEO: Philip Agee on the National Endowment for Democracy (Source: YouTube)
Donald Trump will be sworn in on January 20, 2025, at the US Capitol in Washington DC, after vice-president JD Vance takes the oath of office – Over the next 100 days will be able to establish if Trump and his administration can reverse the course of our recent history and brings a much-needed peace not through war or strength but through diplomatic means and dialogue.
When you hear “peace through strength” know that it often means “peace through war”, a term linked throughout our history with imperialism.
To achieve peace the World need truth.
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