The CIA invented the word “blowback” to describe situations in which covert operations led, however indirectly, to attacks on Americans at home or abroad. It went from a CIA codeword to a household name after 9/11. Though most Americans were stupefied by the attack, people around the world were not so shocked. The kind of thing that generates blowback is usually kept secret from Americans or, if it sees the light of day, is skillfully dealt with by the government’s PR apparatus. When blowback occurs, often years after the events that led to it, Americans are not able to put it in context. The state then provides its own context, such as “they hate us for our freedom”, imprinting its message on anyone who does not research the subject. The rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq is a great example of blowback. First, the US-led coalition weakened and destabilized Iraq, reviving old divisions, imposing a new political system and pissing off a lot of people. Then, the US, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and presumably the other Gulf petrostates funded rebels in neighbouring Syria to make it hard for the local regime (an ally of Russia and Iran) to win its war. Did you think there would be no consequences for any of these things because the US only does good things and people are sure to see that? Do you think there will no consequences of intervening once again into Iraq to stop ISIS? Of course, if you have been told all your life any example of blowback is just bad people who hate good people, and those good people can solve problems by throwing bombs and soldiers at them, you will have no trouble approving of this and any future war. If you have a large enough hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 06:00:01 +0000
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