Tulsi Gabbard on War, Military‑Industrial Complex and Democrats

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic Vice Chair, U.S. military veteran, and author of "For Love of Country," discussed her experiences in the military, her views on war and foreign policy, and her reasons for leaving the Democratic Party.

The Real Cost of War

Gabbard's military service, including deployments to Iraq in 2004-2005 and Kuwait in 2008-2009, profoundly shaped her perspective on the cost of war. Serving in a medical unit during the height of the Iraq War, she witnessed firsthand the "high human cost" on both U.S. troops and the Iraqi people. Her daily task involved reviewing lists of combat-related injuries, tracking soldiers' care, and arranging evacuations. This constant confrontation with suffering made the reality of war undeniable.

She also highlighted the financial cost to American taxpayers, citing the exorbitant spending on defense contractors like KBR Halliburton. She recounted an instance where a single meal for a soldier cost $35, while imported workers from countries like Nepal and the Philippines were paid only $500 a month for demanding jobs like cleaning and cooking. This disparity underscored the immense profits reaped by defense contractors, often at the expense of both taxpayers and vulnerable workers.

The Psychological Toll on Soldiers

Gabbard emphasized the physical and psychological impact of war on soldiers. While some injuries were visible, many suffered from invisible wounds, such as traumatic brain injury, which was not widely recognized at the time. Soldiers who were evacuated due to injury often felt guilt for leaving their comrades behind, highlighting the deep bonds formed in combat. She noted that for soldiers, the focus in a war zone is on their friends and unit, not on political motivations.

She shared an anecdote about Polynesian and Asian American soldiers in her unit who, through simple gestures of respect and human connection, such as pointing their weapons skyward when passing through towns and sharing tea with locals, significantly reduced casualties compared to the unit they replaced. This demonstrated the power of building relationships and trust, even in a hostile environment.

The Military-Industrial Complex

Gabbard views the military-industrial complex as a powerful entity that deeply influences the U.S. government. She described a "revolving door" phenomenon where high-ranking military personnel and Department of Defense civilians transition to lucrative positions on the boards of defense contractors, and vice versa. She cited the current Secretary of Defense as an example, who served on a defense contractor's board before returning to government. This interconnectedness, she argued, allows for "insane war profiteering" and undermines genuine efforts for peace.

When is War Justified?

Gabbard believes war is justified only as a last resort, when all diplomatic efforts have been exhausted, and it is essential for national security, ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.

She criticized the broad "war on terrorism" framework, arguing that it has led to numerous unjustified conflicts and the erosion of civil liberties. Using Afghanistan as an example, she supported the initial mission to target Al-Qaeda after 9/11 but condemned the subsequent diversion of resources to the regime change war in Iraq, which she believes was based on false pretenses. She argued that the lack of clear objectives in Afghanistan led to a protracted conflict that ultimately strengthened terrorist groups.

Gabbard stressed the importance of understanding the enemy, both militarily and ideologically. She criticized the Obama administration for failing to accurately identify the ideology driving Islamist terrorist groups, instead using vague terms like "countering violent extremism." She asserted that these groups, such as Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Hamas, are driven by a clear objective to establish an Islamic caliphate and eliminate those who do not adhere to their ideology. She believes that defeating this ideology requires both military action and a "superior ideology."

The Israel-Gaza Conflict

Regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, Gabbard acknowledged its complexity. She urged Israel to differentiate between Hamas and the Palestinian people, recognizing that many Palestinians desire peace and freedom from Hamas's oppression. She also criticized elements within the Israeli government who advocate for the displacement of Palestinians, arguing that such stances exacerbate hatred and resentment. She believes that lasting peace requires strong leadership from both sides willing to move past historical grievances and find a path forward.

The War in Ukraine

Gabbard believes the war in Ukraine can only end through brokered dialogue and peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. She expressed heartbreak over how early peace efforts were allegedly thwarted by the Biden-Harris administration and other Western powers, leading to immense loss of life. She emphasized that both sides will need to make concessions for the war to end.

She suggested that the U.S. President should ideally facilitate such discussions, but questioned whether President Biden, given his administration's stated objective to "destroy Russia," is the most effective neutral broker. She believes the Biden-Harris administration should encourage Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to engage in peace talks.

Meeting with Adversaries

Gabbard defended her decision to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, arguing that leaders must have the courage to engage with adversaries in the pursuit of peace and understanding. She criticized the "weaponization and politicization" of such engagements by those with vested interests, particularly the military-industrial complex, who seek to maintain a narrative that supports regime change wars. She recounted how her efforts to gain a broader understanding of the Syrian conflict were met with disinterest and accusations of being a "lover or supporter of dictators" by influential voices in the U.S.

The "Putin Lover" Accusation

Gabbard addressed the persistent criticism that she is a "Putin lover." She traced the origin of this accusation to her first day in Congress in 2013, when she began challenging the military-industrial complex. She stated that the attacks escalated significantly when she announced her presidential candidacy in 2019, with NBC News publishing a "hit piece" and Hillary Clinton later suggesting that "the Russians are grooming her."

Gabbard views this as a "tired, yet dependable playbook" used by influential figures to discredit those who question their war objectives or advocate for peace. She argued that these tactics are used to avoid substantive debate and silence dissenting voices, a pattern she also observed when attempting to amend the Patriot Act to protect civil liberties.

Leaving the Democratic Party

Gabbard explained her decision to leave the Democratic Party, detailing her reasons in her book, "For Love of Country." She believes the party has become "opposed to freedom" and the foundational principles of the U.S. She characterized it as being controlled by an "elitist cabal of warmongers" pushing a "woke agenda" that includes:

• Racializing everything.
• Supporting "defund the police" initiatives.
• Advocating for open border policies.
• Failing children through their education policies.
• Rejecting objective truth, particularly regarding gender identity, which she sees as an "act of hatred towards women."

She concluded that the Democratic Party's "insatiable hunger for power" leads them to "destroy our Republic, our democracy, our freedom" to maintain and gain more power.

While acknowledging that power-hungry politicians exist in both parties, Gabbard argued that the Democratic Party in Washington has become particularly intolerant of dissent, forcing members to "walk in lockstep" with leadership or face severe repercussions. She contrasted this with the Republican Party, which she sees as having more diverse voices, including those like Donald Trump, who challenge established norms.

Avoiding Nuclear War

Gabbard expressed deep concern about the casual discussion of nuclear war by some pundits and politicians. She reiterated Ronald Reagan's statement that "a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be waged." She criticized the normalization of "tactical nuclear weapons" as if they can be used without catastrophic escalation.

She highlighted the New York City Emergency Management Office's PSA on nuclear attack preparedness, which she found "deeply disturbing" for its simplistic advice ("Get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned") and its "carelessness" in treating a nuclear attack like a natural disaster. She warned that this attitude, combined with the push towards nuclear conflict, increases the risk of both intentional and unintentional nuclear war.

The Anti-TikTok Bill

Gabbard strongly criticized the proposed anti-TikTok bill, calling it a "power grab and an assault on freedom and liberty" disguised as a national security measure. She explained that the bill grants the executive branch broad power to:

• Designate any platform as unacceptable.
• Unilaterally declare foreign adversaries.
• Ban social media platforms with 20% foreign ownership.
• Target American citizens with 25% ownership in a platform if deemed "under the influence of" a foreign adversary.

She warned that this could extend beyond TikTok to platforms like X (formerly Twitter), citing past calls to investigate Elon Musk's activities. She argued that the bill is not about national security but about controlling speech and punishing platforms that do not cooperate with government censorship. She echoed Ron Paul's sentiment that it is "the greatest assault on liberty since the Patriot Act."

Faith and Purpose

Gabbard spoke about the central role of her Hindu faith in her life, describing the Bhagavad Gita as a spiritual guide. She emphasized that Hinduism, despite common misconceptions, is a monotheistic religion with one God known by many names. She highlighted its non-sectarian nature and the universal truths found in its teachings, such as Bhakti Yoga (developing a loving relationship with God) and Karma Yoga (dedicating actions to positively impact others). She described God as her "best friend" and a constant source of strength, clarity, and happiness, especially during challenging times.