Five Invasion Plots, Three Continents, Identical Lies by Felicity Arbuthnot

by Felicity Arbuthnot
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
London, England
December 22, 2012

Image by Leo Reynolds via Flickr

I do not understand this squeamishness about the use of gas. We have definitely adopted the position at the Peace Conference of arguing in favour of the retention of gas as a permanent method of warfare…. I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes. — Winston S. Churchill, 1874-1965, from War Office  minute,  May 12, 1919

As the sabre rattling against Syria gets ever louder, the allegations ever wilder and double standards, stirring, plotting and terrorist financing (sorry, “aiding the legitimate opposition”) neon lit, it is instructive to look at the justifications presented by US Administrations for a few other murderous incursions in recent history.

The Panama Deception (1992)

Dandelion Salad

Warning

This video may contain images depicting the reality and horror of war/violence and should only be viewed by a mature audience.

Image via Wikipedia

The Panama Deception is a 1992 documentary film that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.^[1] The film is critical of the actions of the US military during the 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States, covering the conflicting reasons for the invasion and the depicting of the US media as biased. It was directed by Barbara Trent of the Empowerment Project and was narrated by actress Elizabeth Montgomery.

The Predatory Global Empire in Panama: Punishing the Poor by Andrew Gavin Marshall

by Andrew Gavin Marshall
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
http://andrewgavinmarshall.com
September 12, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Establishing a New War Doctrine

The war on Panama presents an interesting case to study. Taking place in 1989, it was the first war and intervention (whether covert or overt) which was not justified on the basis of a ‘Communist threat’. As such, it has been deemed as the first post-Cold War war. However, the justifications for the intervention, which was incredibly violent and destructive, especially upon the poor majority of Panama, were confused and inconsistent.

Michael Parenti: The Panama Deception + US imperialism in full view

with Michael Parenti
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
www.michaelparenti.org
December 20, 2010

Map of US-Operation Just Cause, Invasion of Panama, December 1989 – January 1990. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RTAmerica | December 20, 2010

December 20th marks the 21st anniversary of the 1989 US Invasion of Panama. An Incident, known as ‘Operation Just Cause,’ that erupted after CIA client Manuel Noriega charted and independent path from the US and threatened to close down US bases. The drum beat for war against Panama would eventually play out again in US military interventions that followed. The media coverage of the invasion of Panama became the blueprint in rallying public support for war through the mainstream media.