1975-1976, 1980-1988 Angola (Project “Feature,” etc.): The US gets involved in another post-colonialist morass (somehow, that word seems fitting), bankrolling the group that instigates the violence and consequently undoes any potential political solution. Becomes another Cold-War hot war with Cubans and Soviets supporting the opposition, and the South Africans on “our” side (that played really well in the rest of Africa!).
1979-1991—Afghanistan: US provides intelligence and weapons for the mujahedeen, who successfully repel the Soviets after a decade of resistance. Afterwards, over half of the “Stinger” missiles provided by the US are unaccounted for, even when they offer to buy them back at over four times the initial cost ($150,000 each). A young Saudi engineer by name of bin Laden gets involved in the latter stages of the war, and while not (apparently) benefiting directly from US aid, takes advantage of the post-war climate to set up training camps for global jihad.
Incidentally, it was during this war that President Reagan first uses the term “freedom fighters.” In his defense, though, do you remember what he did when 200+ marines were killed in Beirut? He pulled the troops out.
1980—Cambodia: US bankrolls allies of Pol Pot & the Khmer Rouge, known for fighting the Vietnamese and, oh, yes, killing up to ¼ of the Cambodian people.
1980-1988—Nicaragua (Project “Democracy”): Yes, that was its actual title. In the name of Lady Liberty, US revives economic destabilization tactics, illegally arms, funds, and trains the contras, and mines Nicaragua’s harbors, blowing up a Japanese and a Soviet ship along with those of Nicaraguan fishermen. When funds for the covert operation dry up, someone gets the bright idea of using the money from Iranian arms sales (another day!) to fund the project. Major players get off scot-free, and several are surfacing again under the current administration.
2000—USA: United States installs George W. Bush as the 43rd president of the United States.
There may well be more, but we are tired.
(Editor’s note—this should help explain why we are in (on?) a undisclosed offshore location)
