As most of you know, given the radical changes in funding over the last two years I’ve reluctantly been back to working as a geopolitical analyst. That’s always been a part of my portfolio, and at various times like now swamps the more interesting and enjoyable work in geophysics and natural hazards research. While donations cover most of the operating costs (thank you so much for that!), I haven’t been in a position to abandon a regular job.
The nastiness of the political world is infectious. While there are people in the highest levels of government who try to live up to the ideas of their offices, an awful lot, and I fear a large majority, are crass, opportunistic, narcissistic, “dark triad” personalities who should be no where near the corridors of power (on both “sides”, this isn’t a party thing). As much as I hate that world, I hate what it does to me even more. The constant fight against it is exhausting, and to move in that world you cannot help but become contaminated by it (unless you are Vir).
It’s hard to write a measured and neutral blog about disasters or broader science issues when 90% of my time is immersed in the world of international affairs, war, financial crisis, and politics. It is especially difficult today, on Veterans Day, when I look back at a lifetime of war, and many of the sacrifices made on behalf of this country that were, as far as I can see, wasted. As I written before, I’m far from a pacifist or isolationist. But I know what war is like first hand, and I feel we resort to force far more often than we have to, neglect diplomacy far too often and, to be honest, sometimes don’t mind our own business and let others solve their own problems when it doesn’t really impact us directly.
Afghanistan in the 1980s, Iraq, Central America, Eastern Europe, Afghanistan again, Iraq again, Syria, Eastern Europe again. Afghanistan and the Saudi-inspired Wahabbist movements like Al Qaeda are the hardest to understand. It’s been three 20 year cycles. First we arm and train them to fight one enemy (the Soviet Union in 1980s), then we fight them ourselves when they turn on us (9/11 2000), then we arm and train them to overthrow a government “we” don’t like (Syria, 2020s). They still hate us, so the next generation will likely have to fight them again when there is the inevitable turning. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” is a stupid strategy when that “friend” hates you only slightly less than the so-called “enemy” you are using them against … especially when that “enemy” is an enemy of choice rather than necessity.
If there is one thing modern Democrats and Republicans agree on it is war. Sure, they disagree sometimes on which wars the US should start and fight, but they both love their wars. While we can hope that the “Blue Wave” will tamper down the war with Iran, unfortunately I fear it will pour gas on the far more consequential, simmering war with Russia.
It is inevitable that domestic politics and international relations are intertwined – that is a pretty obvious given, and I reluctantly accept it. However, I hate the fact that science and politics are so firmly intertwined. Certainly some interaction, even tension, is natural and essential. But the nastiness of American Politics has left us in the position that expressing opinions on any issue results not and discussion and healthy debate, but opprobrium and conflict.
Sadly, politics is an intrusive factor in all of our lives whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. Those who say “stick to the weather” for the blog are being somewhat naive. I get some people not wanting to see the geopolitics discussions, the weather vs foreign policy aspects of the blog have always been a weird dichotomy given the fact of my work at that intersection. I’ve limited those posts despite the fact there is so much to say that isn’t in the public eye. But even the “pure weather” isn’t immune to our political train wreck. When politicians cut funding for key sensor systems, pressure researchers to either endorse or undermine certain issues like climate change, remove funding from key projects based on short-sighted ideology, when our disaster relief systems so flawed, how can a researcher and “expert” (other people’s word) remain silent?
And, as one in a position to see behind the curtain, and increasingly disgusted by what I see, I feel I need to say something sometimes. Unfortunately, I don’t say it well and sometimes lash out, especially under pressure. I’m not the best “off the cuff” writer in the world much less this ZIP code, and am way out of my element blogging. The by-line of the blog is “You’re doomed, here’s why.” Well, sadly, governance and politics is by far is the primary reason you are doomed, not natural hazards.
So, unfortunately, it’s hard to just say “honor our Veterans today” because the reasons so many have had to sacrifice so much are not as noble as the politicians who try to share their spotlight on this day.
Nevertheless, it is right to honor those who have chosen to serve. The disrespect and eternal shame lies on those who have squandered their service. Our veterans are the best of us, and are brothers, be they ever so vile.