Somewhat surprisingly, Carney speaks Truth to Power. Torpor is awakened by provocation.

One may oppose what Carney represents. But recall Churchill's retort to those who criticised his pact with Stalin:

"If Hitler imvaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference in this House to the Devil!"

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And if persistent provocation finally, and improbably, awakens the sleep-walking figures currently guiding Europe's destiny? Would that be to Trump's liking?

I doubt it. He wishes to disengage the United States from Europe, the better to focus U.S. resources elsewhere and progressively to develop ties with Russia, weaning her away from China.

But, in this scenario, continuing friction between Western Europe and the Russian Federation is desirable, both to continue weakening the EU and Britain and to restrict as far as possible Russia's ambitions in other parts of the world (as has already happened in the Middle East and Anatolian region).

If the Monroe doctrine has been revitalised, so has the Makinder doctrine.

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The Trump administration has publicly admitted that the world is now "multi-polar". If one believes this, the U.S. wishes to create an exclusion zone reserved to its own political and economic dominance over the Americas, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. (And also, one might add, throughout Space).

This is a smoke-screen. In a recent strategy document, the Trump administration expresses its aim of achieving total dominance over the Western Hemisphere, as a prerequisite to crushing its economic rival, China, outside of the Americas.

The Trump administration plans to use economic and military force to achieve its goals, where possible through threats rather than action; the cheaper option. It is for this reason that despite a huge and growing debt, the U.S. military budget has been increased by approximately 50%. It is not the action of a peace-seeking nation fearing attack, despite pretending that is so.

The goal is unchanged: Global Hegemony.

2 hours ago, ericbj said:

The goal is unchanged: Global Hegemony.

That would help the planet for sure. Maybe stop all the killing and misery.

26 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

That would help the planet for sure. Maybe stop all the killing and misery.

Only if the Hegemon reforms. Ask the people in Vietnam, the Middle East, and elsewhere for their opinion.

15 minutes ago, ericbj said:

Only if the Hegemon reforms. Ask the people in Vietnam, the Middle East, and elsewhere for their opinion.

You cant make an omelet without breaking eggs I reckon. At least the people in Vietnam arent Communist any more and in danger of dying in ditches.

We have killed and destroyed less than any other country.

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

We have killed and destroyed less than any other country.

This has got to be one of the most bizarre falsehoods ever to appear in the pages of aseannow.com

1 minute ago, Alan Zweibel said:

This has got to be one of the most bizarre falsehoods ever to appear in the pages of aseannow.com

Your hatred of the USA and your ignorance of history is demonstrated again. You can respond if you like, but Im heading out for brekkie

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Your hatred of the USA and your ignorance of history is demonstrated again. You can respond if you like, but Im heading out for brekkie

"We have killed and destroyed less than any other country."

Here are some numbers just from the War in Vietnam via Gemini AI

Estimating the total number of people killed by American forces during the Vietnam War is complex because "body counts" were notoriously unreliable at the time, and different institutions (the U.S., the current Vietnamese government, and independent historians) provide vastly different figures.

Generally, the death toll is divided into three categories: U.S. Military, Vietnamese Military (North and South), and Vietnamese Civilians.

1. Vietnamese Military & Combatants

The U.S. and its allies fought primarily against the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC).

Official U.S. Estimate: The Department of Defense estimated roughly 951,000 PAVN/VC combatants were killed between 1965 and 1974.

Vietnamese Government Estimate: In 1995, Vietnam released figures estimating 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers died during the conflict.

Historian Estimates: Some historians, such as Guenter Lewy, suggest these numbers are inflated and place the combatant death toll closer to 444,000 – 666,000.

2. Vietnamese Civilians

The number of civilians killed is the most debated and difficult to attribute solely to one side, as deaths resulted from U.S. bombing campaigns, "Search and Destroy" missions, and Viet Cong assassinations/shelling.

Total Estimates: The Vietnamese government estimates 2 million civilian deaths on both sides. Other academic studies (e.g., British Medical Journal, 2008) suggest the total Vietnamese death toll (military and civilian) could be as high as 3.8 million.

Direct U.S. Attribution: Historian Guenter Lewy estimated that roughly 300,000 to 400,000 civilians were killed by military operations in South Vietnam (mostly by U.S. and South Vietnamese forces) and roughly 65,000 were killed by U.S. bombing in North Vietnam.

"Democide" Estimates: R.J. Rummel estimated that U.S. forces were responsible for roughly 5,500 to 10,000 deliberate killings (separate from accidental combat collateral), though this figure is highly controversial and seen as low by many critics of the war."

20 hours ago, Alan Zweibel said:

"We have killed and destroyed less than any other country."

Here are some numbers just from the War in Vietnam via Gemini AI

Estimating the total number of people killed by American forces during the Vietnam War is complex because "body counts" were notoriously unreliable at the time, and different institutions (the U.S., the current Vietnamese government, and independent historians) provide vastly different figures.

Generally, the death toll is divided into three categories: U.S. Military, Vietnamese Military (North and South), and Vietnamese Civilians.

1. Vietnamese Military & Combatants

The U.S. and its allies fought primarily against the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC).

Official U.S. Estimate: The Department of Defense estimated roughly 951,000 PAVN/VC combatants were killed between 1965 and 1974.

Vietnamese Government Estimate: In 1995, Vietnam released figures estimating 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers died during the conflict.

Historian Estimates: Some historians, such as Guenter Lewy, suggest these numbers are inflated and place the combatant death toll closer to 444,000 – 666,000.

2. Vietnamese Civilians

The number of civilians killed is the most debated and difficult to attribute solely to one side, as deaths resulted from U.S. bombing campaigns, "Search and Destroy" missions, and Viet Cong assassinations/shelling.

Total Estimates: The Vietnamese government estimates 2 million civilian deaths on both sides. Other academic studies (e.g., British Medical Journal, 2008) suggest the total Vietnamese death toll (military and civilian) could be as high as 3.8 million.

Direct U.S. Attribution: Historian Guenter Lewy estimated that roughly 300,000 to 400,000 civilians were killed by military operations in South Vietnam (mostly by U.S. and South Vietnamese forces) and roughly 65,000 were killed by U.S. bombing in North Vietnam.

"Democide" Estimates: R.J. Rummel estimated that U.S. forces were responsible for roughly 5,500 to 10,000 deliberate killings (separate from accidental combat collateral), though this figure is highly controversial and seen as low by many critics of the war."

Don't forget Laos. They still have places where you can't walk today.

I saw this myself about 10 years ago.

AI:

During the Vietnam War (1964–1973), the U.S. conducted a "Secret War" in Laos, dropping over 2.5 million tons of ordnance—a planeload every eight minutes for nine years—making it the most bombed country per capita.

This campaign killed an estimated 200,000 to over 300,000 civilians and combatants, representing 10% of the population, and another 400,000 were injured by the intense, 9-year U.S. aerial bombardment.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Approximately 30% of the 270 million cluster munitions dropped did not explode, creating a lasting danger that continues to kill civilians, with estimates of 20,000 to 50,000 further casualties since the war ended.

1 hour ago, Schoggibueb said:

Don't forget Laos. They still have places where you can't walk today.

I saw this myself about 10 years ago.

AI:

During the Vietnam War (1964–1973), the U.S. conducted a "Secret War" in Laos, dropping over 2.5 million tons of ordnance—a planeload every eight minutes for nine years—making it the most bombed country per capita.

This campaign killed an estimated 200,000 to over 300,000 civilians and combatants, representing 10% of the population, and another 400,000 were injured by the intense, 9-year U.S. aerial bombardment.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Approximately 30% of the 270 million cluster munitions dropped did not explode, creating a lasting danger that continues to kill civilians, with estimates of 20,000 to 50,000 further casualties since the war ended.

Bastard Yanks......

On 2/1/2026 at 1:06 PM, xylophone said:

Bastard Yanks......

Americans fought in Vietnam. Some lived to regret it. Others opposed it.

All peoples are subject to being misled by those who have established authority over them.

No nation is exempt from spasms of extreme inhumane insanity. George Orwell remarked something to that effect.

To fight de-humanising narratives our now vastly enhanced web for communicating information and ideas must remain open.

Unrestricted by vested interests.