The Advisor’s Corner

“Provoked” is the title of a 2024 book written by Scott Horton, a podcaster and author focused on U.S. foreign policy. It’s a history of the Russian/Ukraine relationship since the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, followed by the collapse of the USSR. Recently, my son, Craig, hosted Horton at his office and invited business contacts and friends to hear him speak. He discussed his book, as well as his views and opinions, and answered many questions. The book, which is close to 700 pages, includes more than 6,000 footnote references to many credible sources. With the ongoing Russian/Ukraine War, the timing of this book is great.

In addition to providing fact-based information about the Russian/Ukraine War, the book also discusses other important, related subjects. I told Horton at the end of the evening that, after reading his book, I was both depressed and angry. Below, I summarize some of the book’s key subjects. Please be aware that this is not intended to support any one political party; I consider myself to be an independent.

1. In Dwight D. Eisenhower’s last public comments as president, he said: “This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”

2. It’s interesting that a 5-Star General and war hero offered this warning as he left office.

3. The history that led to the current war in Ukraine began in 1989; according to “Provoked,” the war was predictable and wasn’t a surprise to those who understand the history.

4. You need to have a good, current, detailed map to understand this conflict.

5. According to Horton, Presidents George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama officially made promises to the Russian leaders that were later broken. I haven’t talked with any of the presidents, but I’m assuming they believed the “end justifies the means.” In my seven decades of life, I’ve found the end never justifies illegal, untruthful, or selfish actions.

6. These promises had to do with not recruiting countries that were formerly part of the USSR into NATO, due to the security risk to Russia. Horton uses the analogy that if Russia controlled Mexico, it would be a similar threat to the U.S.

7. Horton suggests that today, the military-industrial complex includes military contractors — but it also includes funding for certain university professors/researchers, think tanks, multiple not-for-profits, mainline media, lobbyists, and social media/tech businesses. All of them benefit from wars.

8. I think many of these organizations have been identified by Elon Musk/DOGE. For example, USAID has been targeted. I have my own personal USAID story that would support the recent findings.

9. Without judging the motives of U.S. government leaders over my lifetime, it seems that many believe we (the U.S.) should govern/control/influence all countries.

10. It also seems that some U.S. government leaders believe all countries should have democratic governments. As noble as their wish sounds, after spending significant time in a lot of different countries, many of which are developing nations in Africa, Central & South America, and Eastern Asia, I don’t believe that’s possible, based on their tribal histories, corruption, and decades of illegal behaviors by governments and businesses alike.

11. Based on the U.S. government’s actions over the past several decades, it seems that we do what is best for us.

12. Often, we align ourselves with leaders we can control, even though they may not be the best choice for the citizens of their country.

13. Sadly, Horton cites numerous cases where the CIA and FBI have stepped over the line and partnered with unsavory individuals to achieve their goals. Again, I think that recently, we’ve been officially finding out about these activities, including through the recent release of the JFK Assassination files.

14. For most of my business career, I would have said that I’m pro-capitalism and pro-small government. Horton and others have introduced me to the phrase “Crony Capitalism,” which is when certain laws are passed or regulations are developed by the government that benefit only a few and penalize the rest of us. I believe that “Provoked” puts a magnifying glass on this subject.

15. Horton reminds us that many, if not most, countries’ boundaries have changed over the years and they have long, complex histories over centuries. Often, outsiders like us don’t know or understand the history of the tribes and indigenous people.

MY AWAKENING: In 1998, I went on my first mission trip to Leon, Nicaragua. The people were very warm and friendly toward us, but I noticed graffiti painted on many building walls that clearly were protests of the U.S. So I asked the missionary, who happened to be an American, about them. He explained that for generations, the U.S. government was happy with the longtime dictator family governing Nicaragua. Eventually, the U.S. decided the family was no longer best for us (i.e., they were getting too close to the Russians), so the CIA conducted a coup and installed a new “democratic” leader. Ten years later, the U.S. government decided this leader was becoming too cozy with the Russians, so they attempted to oust him. You may have heard about Ollie North and the Contra-Sandinistas. The leader that we installed originally is still president. Is it a true democracy? Is he a good guy? Who knows.

16. I would like to reiterate that the U.S. often utilizes known criminals/bad guys to achieve its goals. If you lived in the country that was being impacted, how would you feel about the U.S.?

17. Several years ago, I read a book written by Rabbi Sacks, who coined the phrased “Pathological Dualism.” He would say (this is my translation) it describes instances where you disagree with someone, which is OK, but then you step over the line and demonize them. I believe that, at times, our leaders demonize other leaders.

ANOTHER AWAKENING: In 2008, my wife and I took our adopted Vietnamese son back to his home country. While there, we visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the Vietnamese politician’s embalmed body is displayed under glass and open to the public to view. Clearly, in my mind, Ho Chi Minh was an evil person whom we were fighting to eliminate. The war ended in 1975 but, 33 years later, hundreds of Vietnamese citizens were patiently waiting in long lines to view his body and pay their respects to their “hero.” What do we know?

As I mentioned at the beginning, the book “Provoked” left me feeling depressed and angry. I feel like I have been lied to my whole life. I drank the Kool-Aid. I’m embarrassed to say that I was proud when President George W. Bush invaded Iraq to eliminate Saddam Hussein. Me, of all people! I lived through and lost friends in the Vietnam debacle!

If any of these comments strike a chord with you, I would highly recommend “Provoked.” Horton is a great writer and provides lots of details — and, as I already mentioned, he includes more than 6,000 footnote references.

P.S. Just for the record, I served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves and, in spite of its flaws/failures, I’m glad that I live in the United States.