Image by Specna Arms.

End times militarism is both a sociopolitical and sociopathic movement categorized by an aggressive preparation for apocalyptic conflict. It is often justified by ahistorical and religious conspiratorial accounts. Advocates typically push for heavily militarized societies, preventative war, and the hoarding of weapons, viewing military might as both necessary for survival and a justification for divine intervention while marauding the environment and human rights. It follows through on liberal interventionism and uses that framework to feign opposition, while advancing a final perceived battle between good and evil. It encompasses the absorption of international liberalism and statist appeal to religion and fascism.

In 2016, in response to a critical yet incoherent ad by the Super-PAC Priorities USA, Donald Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway pushed back against what she described as a misleading portrait of Trump’s stance on war and national security as reported by Nick Gass. The 30-second ad entitled “I Love War,” used Trump’s own words to question his fitness to serve as commander-in-chief, and highlighted statements about his admiration for military power and nuclear weapons. Trump’s handlers appeared on Good Morning America to deflect and accuse the Clinton campaign of taking Trump’s comments out of context to draw attention away from Clintonian hawkishness. The ad, to be clear, was not a criticism of U.S. power, but just reaffirming the belief that Trump would mishandle our God given right to police the world.

In 2017 alone, Trump approved nearly twice as many arms deals as Barack Obama did in his final year in office. In, “Actually, Donald Trump Loves War” Akbar Shahid Ahmad exposed the stark contrast between Trump’s diplomatic rhetoric and his actual policies. Although Trump often claimed to oppose “endless wars” and criticize the military industrial complex, his presidency was and is, marked by increased military spending, expanded arms sales, and deeper ties with defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Trump used these deals to boost the economy and promote his image, particularly in swing states while overlooking concerns about human rights or congressional oversight. For example, he pushed through weapons sales to Saudi Arabia despite the kingdom’s role in Yemen and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

After 100 plus days of the Trump Administration’s second term in office, CounterPunch reflects on Trump’s foreign policy actions and rhetoric thus far. Trump’s approach to international........

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