US 'Reviews' Tanzania, Ignores Allies' Real Crackdowns
Bloomberg reports the US is “comprehensively reviewing” its relationship with Tanzania over an election crackdown, citing concerns about religious freedom and free speech. This noble concern for democracy's purity, however, rings somewhat hollow when juxtaposed with Washington's steadfast silence on alleged human rights abuses by its closest allies. One might wonder if the 'review'
is less about core democratic values and more about geopolitical maneuvering. While Tanzania faces scrutiny, the US continues to funnel billions in military aid and diplomatic cover to governments with far more documented crackdowns. For example, Senator Lindsay Graham, a vocal proponent of 'democracy abroad,' notoriously voted to approve billions in military aid to Israel, despite repeated
reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch detailing alleged abuses against Palestinians. The pattern suggests 'human rights concerns' are a convenient pretext, not a consistent policy, especially when AIPAC's influence ($3.5 million in lobbying in 2023, per OpenSecrets.org ) sways votes elsewhere.