Deck 41: Chalmers Johnson, Blowback

Question 1

Why does the U.S. government do everything in its power to perpetuate Cold War structures, even without the justification of the Cold War?

Answer 1

not answered

Question 2

The term "blowback" refers to:

A) the downsizing of American military installations.
B) the unintended consequences of policies that were kept secret from the American people.
C) the CIA policy in which terrorists are revealed and then arrested and imprisoned by foreign police forces.
D) American economic policies imposed through the International Monetary Fund.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Johnson describes the U.S. as an empire because:

A) American leaders continue to do everything possible to perpetuate Cold War structures in the absence of a Cold War threat.
B) in spite of a deepening global economic crisis, the U.S. urged governments with faltering economies to honor their weapons contracts with the U.S.
C) American leaders have organized and funded military coups in countries whose policies are thought to threaten American economic interests.
D) Turkey, for example, continues to be a valued American ally because of its strategic military location, in spite of accusations of human rights violations against the Kurds.
E) all of the above

Answer 3

E

Question 4

10"Blowback" refers to the CIA policy of organizing and funding military coups in countries whose leaders do not support American economic policies.

Question 5

Johnson argues that incidents involving the victimization of foreign civilians by American military personnel are isolated ones.

Question 6

Blowback is:

A) targeted mainly at the U.S.
B) the consequence of empires that cannot control the long-term effects of their policies.
C) a problem faced only by Americans.
D) a and b above

Question 7

American troops are stationed at over "major installations" located in countries around the world.

A) 800; 119
B) 161; 119
C) 100; 19
D) 61; 19

Question 8

The U.S. government always holds politicians or high-ranking military officers responsible when American military personnel injure or kill foreign civilians.

Question 9

When the CIA acts on its policy of "disruption", it sends formal notice to Congress about terrorists that have been flushed out of hiding.

Question 10

Discuss Johnson's argument that American military and economic policy is breeding a massive global crisis.

Question 11

The CIA policy termed "disruption" refers to:

A) the removal of military installations located on foreign soil.
B) the unintended consequences of policies that were kept secret from the American people.
C) the removal of foreign government leaders who are unfriendly to American economic polities.
D) the harassment of terrorists around the world.

Question 12

Discuss how the CIA policy of "disruption" "holds promise as a rich source of future blowback".

Question 13

The U.S. is the largest seller of weapons in the world.