Chris Hedges on Terrorist Attacks in Brussels: ‘Our Violence Is What Created These Groups’ (Video)
Political demands for stronger surveillance of American Muslims consider only the violent displays of terrorism, not the cause, the Truthdig columnist says. "The cause is the U.S. military occupation of the Middle East."Chris Hedges spoke with Jessica Desvarieux, correspondent for The Real News, following Tuesday’s bombings in Belgium. Hedges, analyzing the forces behind the attacks, detailed how underlying racism throughout Europe can push people from immigrant communities to take up terrorist causes.
The Truthdig columnist examined how some American politicians have responded to the attacks by calling for stronger surveillance of American Muslim communities. “[T]hey’re dealing with the symptom, not the cause,” he said. “The cause is the U.S. military occupation of the Middle East.”
Watch the full interview below.
— Posted by Emma Niles
Your support matters…Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.
You can help level the playing field. Become a member.
Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.
Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.
With major terrorist attacks coming in rapid succession lately, it’s time to take a closer look at what causes a particular attack to get extensive media coverage.
The killings in Brussels or Paris and the killings in U.S. military strikes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria or Libya perpetuate the same dark lusts. The savage tit-for-tat game will not end until we rouse ourselves from our hypnotized state.
Recoiling from last week's carnage in Brussels, Americans may be attracted to the "tough" posturing of Trump and Cruz. Yet we know that the leaders of Islamic State welcome such signs of panic.
Sudden, horrific events in the middle of a presidential campaign provide an X-ray of the instincts and thinking of the candidates. We can see what their priorities are, and pick up clues about their character.