USAID worker somewhat understandably complaining of being haphazardly evacuated from DR of Congo:
The worker complains of the quick shutdown and the fact that his family had to flee, in some level of distress, leaving their homes and personal belongings behind. Of course, he says that Trump shutting down USAID is unconstitutional, etc, etc.
What's missing: any awareness at all that his presence was simply tolerated by the locals, not welcomed. Also, he's missing that it is the great American Empire that is the sole provider of his security - not his unbounded virtue.
Still, I anticipate further such events in the out years. If Trump is to withdraw frvolous things like USAIDs, he may well be forced to withdraw from some of our other interests - like some of the 700+ mil installations worldwide. I'm confident he can do it with an orderly plan, but they need to start planning soon. We got a taste of this last year in Niger, when a newly elected local government uninvited the US base. No need to expand on the Afghan departure. There have been protests outside of US bases even in S. Korea for decades.
I've heard/read (here?) about the risks of being an overseas servant of a withdrawing empire. If/when we begin withdrawal from many of these places, the dogs will be at our heels.
The worker complains of the quick shutdown and the fact that his family had to flee, in some level of distress, leaving their homes and personal belongings behind. Of course, he says that Trump shutting down USAID is unconstitutional, etc, etc.
What's missing: any awareness at all that his presence was simply tolerated by the locals, not welcomed. Also, he's missing that it is the great American Empire that is the sole provider of his security - not his unbounded virtue.
Still, I anticipate further such events in the out years. If Trump is to withdraw frvolous things like USAIDs, he may well be forced to withdraw from some of our other interests - like some of the 700+ mil installations worldwide. I'm confident he can do it with an orderly plan, but they need to start planning soon. We got a taste of this last year in Niger, when a newly elected local government uninvited the US base. No need to expand on the Afghan departure. There have been protests outside of US bases even in S. Korea for decades.
I've heard/read (here?) about the risks of being an overseas servant of a withdrawing empire. If/when we begin withdrawal from many of these places, the dogs will be at our heels.