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


  • Jamal Abdulahi
    Saudi Arabia Asserts Dominant Role in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea 
    21 Jan 2026
    Israel's recognition of a breakaway region in Somalia has redrawn the map of the Horn of Africa, pitting two oil-rich Gulf powers against each other and forcing the U.S. to delay its imperial plans…
  • Monique Welch-Rutherford
    This Texas County Is the Deadliest Place in the U.S. for Black Mothers to Give Birth
    21 Jan 2026
    Harris County, home to a world-renowned medical center, holds the worst maternal death rate for Black women in the entire nation. This staggering statistic represents a systemic failure that subjects…
  • x
    Orinoco Tribune
    Venezuela Rejects CIA Award Rumors While President Maduro’s Son Sparks Backlash Over Comments Suggesting to Resume Diplomatic Ties with ‘Israel’
    21 Jan 2026
    Venezuela's official stance remains one of principled anti-imperialism. Internal discussions reflect the complex realities of navigating a crisis.
  • Ramzy Baroud
    Teetering on the Brink of Genocide: Why Netanyahu is Keen on Prolonging the Gaza War
    21 Jan 2026
    Netanyahu's continuation of the Gaza genocide is integral to the continuity of the zionist project.
  • BAR Radio Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio January 16, 2026
    16 Jan 2026
    In this week’s segment, we discuss the abuse of state power domestically and internationally. In Minnesota, the Trump administration has unleashed ICE, resulting in the fatal shooting of a US citizen…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us