Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Black America and the Imperial War Against Afghanistan
Ken Morgan
31 Aug 2017
🖨️ Print Article
Blacks and the Imperial War Against Afghanistan
Blacks and the Imperial War Against Afghanistan

“Black oppression and U.S. global imperialism are complements.”

Donald Trump recently extended U.S. imperialistic plans for Afghanistan. His “made in America” plan resembles that of his ruling class predecessors Obama and Bush.

Trump’s plan drew mixed reviews from the U.S. Congress. Some thought it lacked specifics. Others bolstered the plan. An overriding question remains. What way forward for U.S. imperialist aims in the region?

And what about Russia? It is a second rate power but matches U.S. nuclear capacity. Does an adversarial relationship still exist? The U.S. harbors relations with former Soviet countries in the South Asia region.

U.S. efforts to build a compliant Afghan government failed miserably. Despite the U.S. invading, occupying and providing aid to the Afghan Army and police, the Taliban -- the enemy -- controls two-thirds of the country. Imperialism contains its contradictions.

The CIA 30-odd years ago brought together the Mujahedeen (corrupt reactionary warlords possessing reactionary interpretations of Islam financed through the opium trade) to fight the Soviet Union defending the progressive Soviet-friendly Afghan leadership. They included the Taliban and Osama bin Laden -- Obama’s trophy.

“We need to see Trump’s actions in the larger context of U.S. and worldwide imperialism.”

All U.S. ruling class circles share concern over China’s growing economic influence amongst its Asian counterparts. China’s planned “Belt and Road” initiative that links Asia, Africa, and Europe, including Russia, provides an example. Disparate trade balances between the U.S. and China makes matters more complex for big business profit makers.

Tehran’s newfound coziness with the Taliban and its joint support with Russia over Syria provide another worry. Still another imperialist eye-catcher is Afghanistan’s newly discovered mineral reserves. Underlying all is the continuing capitalist world crisis fueled by the falling rate of profits.

What do all of these things mean for black people? We need to see Trump’s actions in the larger context of U.S. and worldwide imperialism. He is not just some crazy, racist bigot. It is all part of the same package. Black oppression and U.S. global imperialism are complements.

Eliminate “we” when black people talk about America’s imperialist wars. Remember Tonto’s newfound awareness. The Lone Ranger and Tonto found themselves surrounded by indigenous people in the song “What you mean we white man.” Replace white man with “owner of the wealth and means of production white man.”

We need a 365-day independent, anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-homophobic black working class led party. A black coalition with similar pedigree will do for now.

U.S. out of Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. Keep hands off Syria and North Korea.

Dr. Morgan is a Black activist scholar. He can be reached at kmorgan2408@comcast.net.

 

 

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Gary Wilson
    Palestinians Reject U.S.–Backed U.N. Plan: ‘A new form of occupation’
    19 Nov 2025
    The so-called 'peace plan' resolution passed by the UN Security Council is nothing more than a newly branded occupation and the Palestinian people are rejecting it.
  • Carly Brook , Orinoco Tribune
    Activists Mobilize Across the US to Demand ‘Hands Off Venezuela,’ Venezuela Thanks for Protest Outside White House
    19 Nov 2025
    While the White House plots further intervention, nationwide mobilizations are sending a powerful message of solidarity to Venezuela.
  • Cira Pascual Marquina
    Grenada, Venezuela and the Logic of Empire: A Conversation with Chester Humphrey
    19 Nov 2025
    A veteran Grenadian revolutionary explains the situation of Venezuela today, condemns the US build-up, and offers his advice and solidarity.
  • BAR Radio Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio November 14, 2025
    14 Nov 2025
    In this week’s segment, we hear about an international tribunal for Palestine, which will document and render a ruling on evidence of genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. We also examine the…
  • Venezuela
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Week of Action in Solidarity with Venezuela
    14 Nov 2025
    The U.S. regime change effort against Venezuela has recently intensified with the killings of Venezuelans, Trinidadians, and Colombians said to be drug traffickers, the latest salvo in the long U.S.…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us