US Public Wants Troops Home, Pentagon Prefers Eternal Wars
The Hill reports that 'Most support bringing US troops home from Iraq, Syria,' a stark reminder that the American public often disagrees with the perpetual military engagements preferred by Washington. This isn't a new phenomenon; public support for ending overseas conflicts has been a consistent, ignored drumbeat. Remember the 2003 Iraq invasion? The New York Times reported 68% public support
then (Jan 2003), but the mood shifts when the 'mission accomplished' banners become historical jokes. Yet, the military-industrial complex continues to churn. Congress approved a $886 billion defense budget for 2024, funding these very deployments against public will. How many more surveys will it take before policymakers decide 'public opinion' includes their own constituents, and not just the
defense contractors and foreign lobbyists who fill campaign coffers?