US Government Seizes 200,000 Masks Bound for Germany in Bangkok, Orders Corporate Giant, 3M, to Stop Supplying N95 Respirators to Canada and Latin America

In the midst of the COVID-19 international crisis, there couldn’t be a more important moment for global cooperation. Instead, our government has chosen to wield its economic power to buy up the existing supply of PPE (personal protective equipment) and virtually cut off the supply to our neighbors and allies. See https://tinyurl.com/qsw28ge

Since the creation of the CIA in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor until today, Americans have had an increasingly hands off posture around US foreign-policy. Whether it was the CIA orchestrated overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran (1953), or the CIA backed purging of 1 million Indonesians with dubious connection to the Communist Party (1965), even though the facts about these operations have long been declassified, Americans seem content to be in a “don’t ask, don’t tell” mode.

All the stops came out after 9/11.The so-called War on Terror has continued unfettered since 2001, with hardly a Muslim nation untouched by covert operations, secret drone attacks, or overt military intervention.

And the American people remain silent and unconcerned. So much so that foreign policy was a back burner issue for all candidates except nonstarter, Tulsi Gabbard, in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary campaign.

It’s time to take back our foreign-policy. And the time is now, while our government is bullying our neighbors and allies and hoarding critical life-saving medical supplies. Will you speak up?

In the immediate term, please contact your US senators and federal district representative and insist that we cooperate with global leaders for the common good.

In the longer term, please consider taking ownership as a voter of US foreign policy. In the profound words of Dr. Noel V. Lateef, president of the nonprofit, The Foreign Policy Association, “we do not believe that global issues are too complex for citizens to understand if clearly briefed. Not to a limited circle, therefore, but to all, FPA extends an open invitation to join in a collective dialogue on our future in an interdependent world.”

I also extend that invitation to you. In my biweekly briefing you’ll find up to date, readable, and relevant information to help you play an informed and active role in US foreign policy. Sign up by clicking on the button below.

Steve Slocum