USS Ford: Counter-Narcotics or Counter-Democracy?
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S.'s most advanced aircraft carrier ($13 billion, for those keeping score on their tax dollars), has arrived in the Caribbean. The AP calls it a 'major moment' in a 'counterdrug operation,' echoing the Trump administration's claims. This isn't the first time an 'anti-drug' campaign has conveniently parked a navy near a disfavored government. Historically, this script
has seen more airtime than actual drug seizures. Remember Grenada? Panama? Funny how 'drug interdiction' always seems to intensify around resource-rich nations not playing ball with D.C. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (of Fox News fame, not exactly known for unbiased foreign policy takes) labels this 'Operation Southern Spear.' A spear, one might note, is usually for poking. Since early September,
U.S. strikes have already killed 80 people in 20 attacks on 'small boats'—a casualty count strikingly similar to declared military engagements, not just drug busts. How many 'counterdrug operations' does it take to get to regime change? We await the new definition of 'humanitarian intervention.'