Soft power corruption

Summary

The video script explores the revelations surrounding US foreign aid, particularly through USAID, and its influence on global media and politics. The discussion highlights how these funds have been used to manipulate narratives, influence protests, and support regime change efforts worldwide. The speakers emphasize the ethical concerns regarding media outlets that receive US government funding without disclosure, challenging the US's claims of promoting free press and democracy. As these activities are exposed, global perceptions of the US's soft power and credibility, especially in the Global South, are significantly affected, raising questions about the future of US foreign policy.

Takeaways

• 😀 USAID has been implicated in widespread corruption and money laundering schemes, with revelations exposing its connections to media outlets, protests, and regime change operations.
• 😀 The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and other similar organizations are also believed to be involved in similar activities as USAID, focusing on regime change and influencing foreign politics.
• 😀 The 'Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project' was exposed as a USAID-funded entity, aiming to target political figures like Putin and promote narratives that aligned with US interests.
• 😀 The first Trump impeachment was based on a report from the 'Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project,' further linking USAID to political maneuvering within the United States.
• 😀 USAID's activities included distorting media landscapes, suppressing dissenting views, and manipulating public opinion worldwide, contributing to the 'forever wars' and the Ukraine crisis.
• 😀 Despite revelations, USAID and its affiliated operations are largely intact, although USAID is being downsized and merged with the State Department.
• 😀 The closure of USAID and an end to its operations would likely result in a significant shift in US foreign policy, restoring a more grounded, reality-based approach.
• 😀 The global South, although cautious, has been aware of the manipulations by the US and may see a shift in US relations if regime change operations cease.
• 😀 The exposure of US-backed regime change operations, including media manipulation, puts the US at a disadvantage when it lectures other nations on free speech and democracy.
• 😀 Media outlets globally, like the BBC, which were funded by USAID, are now under scrutiny, raising questions about conflicts of interest and ethical obligations to disclose such funding.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic is the growing revelations surrounding US Aid, its funding, and its involvement in various global activities, including media influence, regime changes, and corruption.

How does the discussion highlight the connection between USAID and media outlets?

The video reveals that many media outlets, such as The Washington Post and The Guardian, were indirectly or directly funded by USAID, which raised questions about the independence and objectivity of these outlets.

What role did USAID play in the so-called 'Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project'?

It was discovered that the 'Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project,' which initially appeared to be independent, was actually funded by USAID. This raised concerns about the credibility of the project's claims, especially its focus on Russian corruption.

How did the US government allegedly manipulate protests and media narratives abroad?

The video suggests that USAID was involved in organizing and financing protests in countries like Bangladesh and Ukraine, as well as influencing media narratives globally, including shaping perceptions of events like the 2014 Maidan protests.

What impact does the exposure of these practices have on the credibility of US soft power?

The revelations undermine the credibility of US soft power by showing that many of the narratives it promoted were not based on organic grassroots movements but were instead orchestrated with US funding and support.

What is the likely future of USAID according to the discussion?

The video suggests that USAID is likely to be closed or scaled down, with its operations possibly being restructured and folded under the US State Department, reducing its ability to influence global events through covert funding.

How does the speaker describe the potential impact of ending USAID's activities on US foreign policy?

The speaker believes that ending USAID’s operations could lead to a shift in US foreign policy towards a more grounded, reality-based approach, as the manipulation of narratives and media influence would be significantly reduced.

What is the perception of the global South regarding US interventions and funding?

The global South, while aware of US interventions and funding, is surprised by the extent of the revelations. Many are cautious, unsure whether this shift in US policy will endure, or if the deep state will regain control and resume its previous practices.

How has the US been perceived in terms of media freedom, and how do recent revelations affect that perception?

The US has historically presented itself as a beacon of media freedom, but recent revelations expose that US media outlets were often funded and influenced by US government agencies like USAID, undermining the claim of impartiality and fairness in journalism.

Why is it important for media outlets receiving USAID funding to disclose this information?

It is important for media outlets to disclose their USAID funding because it presents a clear conflict of interest. Transparency would allow the public to assess the impartiality of their reporting, particularly in conflict zones or politically sensitive topics like Ukraine.