Perpetual War?
Abstract
Michael Mann documents the increasing substitution of war for diplomacy by US policy elites. In part, the substitution has come about because of ideological change but also because the "Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex" maintains a high level of military spending due to the fact that most congressional districts receive some form of military expenditure from bases to munitions production.
General Wesley Clark considers foreign policy under the Bush administration. He argues that the military has a central role to play in support of US foreign policy goals especially in regards to protecting the world economy. He concludes that the Obama administration for political reasons must form national security policy from the center or he will be attacked from the right of the political spectrum. Thus, any strong change in policy will come about slowly.The accompanying audio files provide the complete recording of the two talks.