By Matt Underwood US revives jungle warfare training in Panama amid regional tensions, and honestly, the whole thing feels like a rerun of a show we’ve all seen before. It’s hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu, remembering past conflicts and the potential costs of this kind of military buildup. I mean, here we are, dusting off jungle warfare training in Panama, and it’s difficult to ignore the historical echoes and the potential for tragic outcomes.
The effort, supposedly, stems from a bilateral agreement, separate from any existing tensions with Venezuela. But let’s be real, the timing is hard to overlook. Reviving jungle warfare training, particularly in a region like Panama, immediately raises questions about regional dynamics. It feels like the US is positioning itself, and as history shows, there will be casualties. The idea of young Americans, those who just wanted to better their lives, thrown into a jungle environment – well, it’s a sobering thought.
Thinking back to my wife, who’s from Colombia, and the videos she’s shown me of the guerilla fighters and experienced soldiers in that terrain…It’s a stark reminder of how brutal jungle warfare can be. Those who believe in their superior strength will get a rude awakening. We’ve seen it before in places like Vietnam. It is easy to be cynical and think about the cycle of conflict and the potential for a “Contras 2.0” scenario.
Speaking of history, people bring up Operation Just Cause and some folks believe it went well. But also, it’s easy to get caught up in the nostalgia for “classic” military operations and forget the human cost. What about the potential for unexpected consequences? What about the broader regional implications? And of course, there’s always the concern that this is just one more move in the ongoing political chess game, a deflection tactic, perhaps. I wonder if there is a plan to test chemical weapons on goats while we are there too?
The establishment of this training facility in Panama definitely feels like a move to counter Chinese influence in Southeast Asia and as a way to build stronger relationships with the host country. With bases being reactivated in Puerto Rico, and strikes on drug boats, there are certainly undertones of increasing regional involvement. I am sure that the Panama and its neighbors are having a blast with the talks.
The whole thing brings up questions. What are we *really* preparing for? Who benefits? Who suffers? The military-industrial complex model relies on endless sequels, but where does it leave the people involved? The ones who signed up for tuition assistance and better opportunities? They’re the ones who will be on the front lines, while some may see this as a chance to be a hero.
The jungle environment presents its own set of challenges, and it feels like the current conflict landscape is quite different. Drones and planes have changed the game and just training in the jungle might not be enough. The fact that the locals know the terrain well is something that shouldn’t be discounted either. And let’s not forget the bigger picture, the potential for political maneuvering and the dangers of repeating the mistakes of the past. The timing is suspect, and it’s hard to shake the feeling that this could be a bad move.