By now, there are almost 800 US military bases worldwide. A newer development is the construction of massive fortified areas within cities, called “embassies,” though they are unlike any embassies that have ever existed. The first was the city-within-a city in Baghdad, now being duplicated in Islamabad and Kabul. The Middle East region, with its immense energy resources, has been a primary concern throughout, and the target of US intervention forces based in the periphery. Since World War II, Italy has been perceived as a crucial part of this periphery.

During the Cold War, the pretext was “defense against the Russians.” As the Soviet Union collapsed, the pretext was abandoned. The Bush I administration announced that the policies would continue unchanged, even expanded, though they conceded quietly that “the threats to our interest” that required military intervention in the Middle East “could not be laid at the Kremlin’s door,” contrary to decades of deceit.

In much of the world, popular forces have protested the use of their territory for US global domination. Right now Ecuador is expelling the major US base in South America. Decades of protest in Okinawa are compelling partial withdrawal to Guam. Elsewhere too many are pursuing the same paths.

The courageous protests at Vicenza have been an inspiration to many others. They have provided a powerful impetus to the global efforts of those who seek a world of cooperation and mutual aid rather than confrontation and violence. I am pleased to join with many others in wishing you the greatest success in your current endeavors.

Noam Chomsky