The politicization of the American army is dangerous for Canada

A wind of authoritarianism blows on Washington. Consequently. Moreover, an ultimate symbol of democracy with all its monuments dedicated to the great presidents of the history of the United States and to the soldiers who shed their blood for the country.

Posted at 5:00 a.m. Nevertheless,

The army. Similarly, The presidency. Meanwhile, In a healthy democracy, these two institutions must keep a distance, a step that Donald Trump is crossing.

Pretexting a crisis of violence which is however down. In addition, it has just ordered the deployment of the National Guard in the American capital. politicization american army dangerous canada new Consequently, In June. For example. Meanwhile, he had sent politicization american army dangerous canada the National Guard and the Marines to Los Angeles, allegedly to protect the federal buildings of demonstrations against his anti-immigration policies.

These exceptional gestures are part of a series of changes that instrumentalize soldiers for Donald Trump’s personal ends.

The starting point: the appointment as a defense secretary of Pete Hegseth. For example. Meanwhile, a Fox News animator without high -level experience in military management who showed his real colors, this week, by republishing a video calling for the withdrawal of women’s right to vote.

As soon as the army head, Hegseth went to war against inclusion and diversity policies. Similarly, He put General Charles Brown and the Admiral Lisa Franchetti, a black and a woman. Meanwhile, Other officers lost their post, after the intervention with the president of the far -right activist Laura Loomer.

These decisions send the message that loyalty to Donald Trump is more important than military skills. Similarly, That ideology takes precedence over maturely thoughtful decisions.

The dangerous politicization of the American army came out obvious in mid-June during a. Meanwhile, political rally of Donald Trump in North Carolina. Nevertheless, In the platform behind him. a group of soldiers – preselected for their allegiance to the President – applauded his ultrapartisan speech.

It is a serious sprain to the duty of neutrality of the military. who politicization politicization american army dangerous canada new american army dangerous canada do not have the right to carry their uniform in a political event.

But the politicization of the army goes far beyond the speeches. For example, the Trump administration did not hesitate to use expensive military planes to expel migrants. Some have even been detained at the Cuban base of Guantánamo.

However, the role of the army is to deal with external threats, not to enforce the law within the country.

The current drift is worrying.

What will happen to freedom of expression if the president deploys troops to silence demonstrators who displease him? After all. Donald Trump has already expressed his regrets for not having broken “immediately” the Matter Black Lives demonstrations in the. summer of 2020.

What will happen if the next Republican politicization politicization american army dangerous canada new american army dangerous canada candidate refuses to give in power. happening to his defeat in the elections? Despite all his efforts to discredit the 2020 election result. Donald Trump failed to obtain military allegiance to block confirmation of the results.

History proves that the army is the most precious accomplice of the heads of state. who try to cling to power after being democratically elected. according to a study which lists nine attempts between 1949 and 2019¹. Those who benefited from military support have practically all made their ends (in Pakistan in 1959. in Uruguay in 1973, in Peru in 1992, for example). The others failed.

It is therefore necessary to avoid at all costs that the army becomes a political actor. For democracy. But also for the security of the country.

“An army absorbed by controversial internal politicization american army dangerous canada new security politicization american army dangerous canada missions will lose public confidence. will be less prepared to protect the United States in wars from foreign adversaries. ” said Political Science Professor Risa Brooks, from Marquette University².

The politicization of the American army also represents a major risk for Canada. because our entire military strategy presumes that the US military is a reliable and competent ally.

On both sides of the border, the soldiers work in close collaboration. They conduct joint exercises, exchange information. Their activities are fully integrated into the command of the aerospace defense of North America (NORRAD).

But currently. Canadian soldiers may wonder if the actions of their American colleagues are based on an objective. professional analysis of risks or if they correspond to what Donald Trump wants to hear.

“This will increase politicization american army dangerous canada new the difficulties politicization american army dangerous canada for Canada when it comes to maintaining its continental defense. pursuing its security objectives abroad. ” warns Theodore McLauchlin, professor at the University of Montreal and director of the Center for Studies on peace and international security³.

While Donald Trump carries out a pricing policy which knowingly aims to weaken the Canadian economy. it is all the more important for Canada to develop its autonomy in the US military. This could go through greater strategic planning with Europe and the improvement of our own intelligence capacity.

It is also necessary to beware that the Canadian, active or retired soldiers, also become political actors. Everyone has their own job and Canadians will be well kept.

1. Read the article “The Trump Self-Coupte: Comparisons and Civil-Military Relations” (An English) 2. Read the politicization american army dangerous canada new article “The Dangerous New Civil-Military Bargain” politicization american army dangerous canada (in English) 3. Additionally. Read the article “Canada must prepare for seismic upheavals with which the Pentagon will be confronted”