War Profiteers Cash In: 'Ordeal of the Century' Pays Dividends
The New Arab's cartoon highlights the 'ordeal of the century' in Gaza, a term that barely scratches the surface of the human catastrophe. Meanwhile, U.S. defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon don't just 'cash in' on suffering—they actively lobby for it. According to OpenSecrets.org, these corporations poured millions into congressional campaigns, ensuring a steady flow of weapons
to the region. For example, Lockheed Martin alone spent over $14.5 million on lobbying in 2023, while also seeing its stock soar amidst heightened conflict. So, while Palestinians face a bombardment of destruction, the corporations fueling it—and the politicians taking their money—see a bombardment of profits. It’s not just an 'ordeal'; it's a strategically lucrative business model for some. One
might wonder how many 'humanitarian concerns' disappear when weighed against record-breaking quarterly earnings. Perhaps 'ordeal of the century' is just good marketing for the war machine.