US Retreats from 'Globalism,' But Not from Global Weapon Sales
The Al Jazeera headline questions which 66 global organizations the US is abandoning under Trump, highlighting a perceived isolationist trend. Yet, this narrative conveniently sidesteps Washington's unwavering commitment to other types of 'global' engagements, particularly those involving military-industrial complex profits. For instance, the US enthusiastically maintains its role as the world's
leading arms exporter, facilitating conflict across continents, often to regimes with questionable human rights records. While pulling out of forums for climate change (a global threat), the US ramps up sales of F-35s and cluster munitions (global devastation). One might wonder if the real criteria for US 'global engagement' isn't peace or democracy, but rather quarterly earnings reports for
defense contractors. The willingness to ditch UNESCO while doubling down on selling weapons to nations actively destabilizing regions (like Saudi Arabia in Yemen for instance) isn't isolationism; it's a highly selective form of globalism. It appears 'multilateralism' only applies when it serves specific, heavily lobbied interests.