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�Geopolitic Responses:�Militarism and Resistance

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Azra Talat Sayeed, Roots for Equity

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Asia Pacific Feminist Forum

September 12, 2024

Chaingmai, Thaliland

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The Era of Imperialism

At the highest stage of imperialism is

appropriation of territories and colonies

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According to Britannica:

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imperialism, is a state policy, practice . .

. of extending power and dominion,

especially by direct territorial

acquisition or by gaining political and

economic control of other areas.

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CONTROL =

MARKETS, LABOR, RESOURCES

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MILITARISM is a direct tool of imperialism

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IMPERIALISM = Control

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What is Militarism?

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According to Britannica

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  • MILITARISM: the opinions or actions of people who believe that a country should use military methods, forces, etc., to gain power and to achieve its goals

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Another definition:

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  • MILITARISM is a societal philosophy

that calls for the need to have strong-armed forces

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that can be used to win economic and political advantages .. .imperialist powers view . .

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militarism as a social tool for gaining power and extending territory.

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WORLD OIL RESERVES: �RESOURCES & MILITARISM

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YELLOW= FRIENDS

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ORANGE –

CONQUERED

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PINK - SANCTIONED

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THE GEO-POLITICAL SCENARIO

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THREE MAJOR IMPERIALIST POWERS

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  • USA

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  • CHINA

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  • RUSSIA

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WAR THEATRES

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  • US –RUSSIA (UKRAINE)

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  • US – CHINA (ASIA PACIFIC)

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  • US – IRAN (PALESTINE/MIDDLE EAST NORTH AFRICA {MENA})

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Military spending Top 40 countries 2023 (SIPRI)

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  • Global Military spending 2023 $ 2243 Billion (100%)

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Top 5 countries

US, China, Russia, India, Saudi arabia $1412 Billion (61%)

Top 10 countries

UK, Germany, Ukraine, France, Japan $1682 Billion (74%)

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NATO member states

32 states: US, Canada; 30 Europe) $1341 Billion. (55%)

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Peace?

  • Total UN budget 2023
  • $3.4 Billion
  • (0.15% of $2243)
  • Global Military Spending 2023

$2243 Billion

Security Council Members

  • USA, UK, France

NATO MEMBERS

  • USA, UK, France

G7 Countries

  • USA, UK, France

Yes Yes Yes to

GENOCIDE!

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Military Spending by Superpowers & Others

US Defence 2023

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~ 40% of military expenditure by countries around the world

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The US spends more on defence than the next nine countries combined.

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The World’s Top 25 Defense Companies by Revenue (2023)

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GERMANY

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  1. Rheinmetall AG (75%)

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$5.1b

G7, NATO

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ISRAEL

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  1. Elbit Systems (90%)

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$ 5.0 B

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ITALY (1)

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  1. Leonardo (83%)

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$12.9B

G7, NATO

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UK (2)

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  1. BAE Systems (96%)
  2. Rolls-Royce (31%)

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$30.1B

G7, NATO

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USA (12)

  1. Lockheed Martin (96%)
  2. RTX Corp (59%)
  3. Northrop Grumman (89%)
  4. Boeing (46%)
  5. General Dynamics (77%)
  6. L3Harris Technologies (82%)
  7. HII (100%)

$221 B

G7,NATO

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CHINA (4)

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  1. Aviation Industry Corporation (37%)
  2. North Industries Group (22%)
  3. South Industries Group (31%)
  4. Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (21%)

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$72.1 B

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FRANCE(4)

  1. Airbus (20%)
  2. Thales (52%)
  3. Dassault Aviation (76%)
  4. Naval Group (100%)

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$31.2 B

G7 NATO

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US militray industrial complex

  • United States, military spending 2nd Largest allocation in the federal budget

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  • The US Defence Market size is estimated at USD 617.29 billion in 2024��Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-defense-market#�

an ‘UNHOLY’ alliance

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MILITARY STATE

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DEFENCE CORPORATIONS

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GOVERNMENT POLICY

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The Capitalist - The Imperialist Mind!

George Kennan, Director of Policy

Planning of the US State

Department, 1948:

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Kennan honestly stated that the United States had 50% of the world’s wealth but only 6.3% of the world’s population. Therefore, the real task, according to Kenan, for the years to come was for the United States to find ways to hold on “this position of disparity.”[1]

[1] US Department of State, Policy Planning Study (PPS) 23 Foreign Relations of the United States. 1948, Vol I (part 2), February 24, 1948, p.23

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Resistance

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Peaceful

protests by

billions!�

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  • Freedom Fighter

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: a person who takes

part in a resistance

movement against an

oppressive political or

social establishment

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Gureila warfare against the US – Vietnamese and Philipina freedom fighers

Resistance

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Considering Geopolitics:

�Who is the Terrorist?