Topic: Peacekeeping

The Trump administration's interest in Greenland has sparked debate over the future of the transatlantic alliance. While some see the move as a negotiation tactic to force European nations to increase defense spending, others fear it leads to U.S. isolationism. Retired military officials expressed concern that a fragmented NATO would hinder future joint operations in the Middle East and Europe.

Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier warned that his forces would fight any international armed intervention that commits abuses against the local population. Cherizier cited past failures of UN peacekeepers, including the introduction of cholera and allegations of sexual assault, as reasons for resistance. Currently, gangs are estimated to control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, amid a total collapse of government authority.

Reports of the Kiev Airport being shelled coincide with Russian forces moving into the Donbass region under the guise of a peacekeeping operation. Discrepancies in State Department briefings suggest a confusing timeline regarding whether a full-scale invasion has officially commenced or is still in a state of readiness.

Democracy Now! featured experts who claim that while 3,500 "acknowledged" troops are leaving Afghanistan, thousands of special operations forces, CIA teams, and contractors will remain. Professor Tahir Wahab suggests that UN peacekeeping forces are necessary to prevent a total Taliban takeover within two months of the U.S. exit.

An Associated Press investigation revealed widespread sexual abuse of children by UN peacekeepers in Haiti, with 134 soldiers implicated in a single sex ring. The hosts criticize the lack of accountability, as the UN has no legal jurisdiction to prosecute. They also accuse reporter Paisley Dodds of omitting the story of Laura Silsby, a Clinton associate convicted of child trafficking in Haiti, suggesting the current reporting serves as a distraction from deeper political scandals.

The CDC and the Clinton State Department are accused of covering up the origin of a cholera outbreak in Haiti linked to UN peacekeepers. The segment also mentions Laura Silsby, who was convicted of child smuggling in Haiti and now reportedly works for the Amber Alert center.

The United Nations finally acknowledged its role in the 2010 cholera epidemic in Haiti, which killed over 9,000 people and infected 800,000. Despite the admission, the UN maintains legal immunity from billions of dollars in damages sought in federal court. Simultaneously, UN peacekeepers in South Sudan are under investigation for failing to prevent the gang-rape of civilians and the execution of a journalist during a hotel raid.

A brief report on the declining prices in Tokyo's red light district due to the economy is followed by a serious discussion of a UN report. The report alleges that UN peacekeepers in Haiti and Liberia routinely trade food and medication for sex, with many claims involving children. The hosts criticize the "highly esteemed" institutions like the UN and Red Cross for systemic corruption.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker calls for the creation of an EU army, ostensibly to address the conflict in Ukraine. The Ukrainian parliament has already approved a bill requesting EU and UN peacekeepers for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The hosts suggest that such a force could also be used to suppress domestic unrest caused by economic hardship and austerity across the Eurozone.

The hosts play a clip of a Filipino military spokesperson describing a seven-hour firefight between UN peacekeepers and Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights. They find the spokesperson's delivery and the mention of "Position 68 and 69" humorous, suggesting the military is used as a source of entertainment for global elites.

President Obama announced the establishment of a new peacekeeping force in Africa to support trade and investment. Simultaneously, the World Bank pledged $200 million to contain Ebola. Media reports are highlighted that warn of potential "dirty bombs" containing the Ebola virus being used by terrorists.

Hilton Worldwide announced plans to open a Hilton Garden Inn in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, joining other U.S. brands like Marriott and Best Western in the country. The hosts suggest these developments cater to "economic hitmen" and international investors rather than the local population. They also briefly mention the cholera outbreak in Haiti, which has been linked to UN peacekeepers.

The Central African Republic is descending into a state of "rubbilization," characterized by extreme violence and the displacement of 33,000 foreign nationals. Despite the presence of 1,600 French peacekeepers, reports indicate rebels are entering hospitals to commit massacres, drawing comparisons to the Rwandan genocide. The lack of a robust UN or international response suggests the country is being allowed to collapse before major rebuilding contracts are eventually issued.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power discussed the deployment of additional peacekeepers to South Sudan following reports of mass graves and atrocities. The hosts criticize Power's performance, noting her use of "ums and ahs" and her description of military intervention as a "product." They suggest she is out of her depth and disconnected from the realities of war.

The UN Security Council authorized an increase of 5,500 peacekeepers for South Sudan. The hosts highlight the strategic importance of the oil pipeline running from South Sudan to the Red Sea, which is largely owned by Chinese interests. They suggest the U.S. intervention is motivated by a desire to control oil prices and regional influence.

President Barack Obama released a video message with Arabic subtitles directed at the people of Sudan and South Sudan, urging peace amidst rising violence. UN Ambassador Susan Rice condemned attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers in Darfur, which the hosts describe as a heavily armed military force rather than a traditional peacekeeping unit. The escalation in Sudan is framed as part of a broader strategy to secure oil pipelines and remove Chinese influence from the region.

Diplomatic efforts continue in Syria as an advanced UN team prepares to monitor a promised truce under Kofi Annan's peace plan. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice expresses skepticism about the Syrian government's commitment to ending the assault on civilians. The hosts note the rebranding of the "Friends of Syria" group and the role of EU representative Kathy Ashton.

United Nations peacekeepers face serious allegations of sexual misconduct in Haiti and the Ivory Coast. In Haiti, a mobile phone video reportedly shows Uruguayan soldiers assaulting an 18-year-old man. In the Ivory Coast, peacekeepers are accused of enticing underage girls to exchange sex for food, highlighting a recurring pattern of abuse by UN personnel.

Ambassador Susan Rice appeared before a congressional hearing to request $3.54 billion for United Nations funding, including $1.9 billion for peacekeeping missions. The hosts characterize Rice as an elitist and express skepticism regarding the transparency of the UN's financial accounting.

Haiti held national elections amid a devastating cholera outbreak that has been linked to a UN peacekeeping base. Candidates Jude Célestin and musician "Sweet Mickey" Martelly emerged as frontrunners following the disqualification of Wyclef Jean. The hosts allege the election is being managed to facilitate the "Clintonization" of Haiti, involving the establishment of casinos and offshore banking interests while the local population suffers from lack of medical aid.