State Department new document on China shows the pathologies of the national security state and new cold warriors on full display. Let's take a look. https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20407448-elements_of_the_china_challenge-20201117

The document needs to justify itself by pointing to Chinese behavior. What is the problem? Trade and investment. From the country that bombs other nations and kills their leaders. They're describing the rise of a peaceful power and putting it in the most sinister terms. 2/n

China buys oil from the Middle East! It sells them weapons, which "undermines US defense companies" (they forgot you're not supposed to say that part aloud)

China imports food from Latin America and sells them goods it produces itself! 3/n

In this view, every country in the world is run by morons who think trade with China is mutually beneficial.

This view of "trade as exploitation" is often found on far left. Strategically adopted by right wingers like Pompeo when they need to demonize other countries. 4/n

Here's another Chinese "crime." It "delivers higher levels of assistance to countries voting with it in the U.S. General Assembly." Shocked?

The US would never tie aid to getting what it wants. 5/n

China has engaged in so little aggression abroad that the war party is reduced to taking the most normal behavior, that pales in comparison to the coercion the US exercises abroad, and put it into really scary words. 6/n

"At no point in its long history has China embraced the idea — assumed by liberal democracies and affirmed by the United Nations — of sovereign equality among nations grounded in respect for rights inherent in all persons." Instead it employs "traditional Chinese thinking." 7/n

Suggestions are combination of more of the same (military spending, "strengthen alliances"), and a call for a domestic propaganda campaign. "the United States must educate American citizens about the scope and implications of the China challenge. " 8/n

Basically ends with an attack on the 1619 project. Says that education system has been filled with "propaganda aimed at vilifying the nation."

A liberal administration would've closed with a suggestion to eliminate systemic racism to realize our full potential. 9/n

As a whole, I'm struck by the lack of any kind of pretense of intellectual flexibility.

Like maybe rethink the relationship with Russia, since China is a threat to freedom all over the world? Maybe pull out of Middle East to focus on China? Of course not. 10/n

US foreign policy involves funneling money to certain weapons companies, spending unlimited amount on the military, and striking the same propaganda notes over and over.

The entire document boils down to "do more of this." 11/n

Pompeo's State Dept is suddenly very concerned with racism when it comes to Africans in China. His sources are media anecdotes.

If China was going to take over Africa, wouldn't they rebel against their openly racist overlords? Why do they need Pompeo to rescue them? 12/n

Going in, I thought the part about "educating the citizenry" was sinister. I realize now that it's just rhetoric to win domestic support.

The militarist policies and the things that make Raytheon money have tangible policy implications. The culture war stuff doesn't. 13/n

This is the same scam the right has been running for generations.

Cons in early 2000s really hated Dixie Chicks and Michael Moore, so they were taught their enemy was Saddam Hussein and their friend was Halliburton. 14/n

Halliburton made money, the cultural warriors got to "own the libs" through continuing a pointless war.

Today, cons hate LeBron, Hawley wants to make it about Hong Kong.

Pompeo wants to use energy against 1619 in service of unrelated geopolitical and financial goals. 15/n