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CREATED:20180315T073900Z
DESCRIPTION:With U.S. military spending possibly topping $700 billion next year, some 
 in "defense" department circles might point to justification for that 
 outsized amount in our participation in ongoing civil wars in both Yemen 
 and Syria. We might ask why it is necessary for us to participate in these 
 conflicts.\n\nWe would do well to question, as in other recent times, the 
 need for U.S. military might to help one side fight another, or to wage war 
 ourselves. Such questions become ever more relevant with the news of 
 civilian casualties, ruined cities, devastating health issues, and hundreds 
 of thousands of refugees - many of whom the U.S. has no intention of taking 
 in.\n\nThere is also the news we don't hear; notwithstanding the massive 
 profits of our country's weapons industry when we intervene militarily, we 
 might also wonder why we choose which side, and the implications. Why do we 
 support Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Houthi rebels in Yemen? Just 
 who are we supporting in Syria...do they have connections to Al Qaeda? And 
 perhaps most significant, are we helping to settle these conflicts, or 
 helping to prolong them?\n\nAs Donald Trump moves to step up U.S. 
 aggression in Yemen and Syria, he spreads misinformation about the U.S. 
 role. Whether overstating the need for military action, or just glorifying 
 the military, truth is again becoming a casualty of war. Reese Erlich's 
 first responsibility is always to set the record straight, and that will be 
 the premise of his talk on March 18.\n\nReese Erlich's career in journalism 
 spans over 40 years; he has traveled to almost every country in the Middle 
 East on assignment for NPR, CBC, Foreign Policy and The Progressive. Reese 
 has authored five books on foreign affairs, the most recent being Inside 
 Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect, with 
 a foreword by Noam Chomsky. His books will be on sale following what should 
 certainly be a very informative and relevant talk.\n\nThe UUSM is 
 wheelchair accessible.\n\nFree, contributions welcome.\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2018/03/15/18807397.php
SUMMARY:What's really going on in Yemen and Syria? - A Reporter's Perspective
LOCATION:Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo\n300 E. Santa Inez Avenue\nSan Mateo, 
 CA 94402
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2018/03/15/18807397.php
DTSTART:20180319T020000Z
DTEND:20180319T040000Z
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