In 1953, the CIA begins Project MKUltra, a human testing program. Experiments on humans were intended to identify and develop drugs and procedures to be used in interrogations and torture, in order to weaken the individual to force confessions through mind control. MKUltra used numerous methodologies to manipulate people’s mental states and alter brain functions, including the surreptitious administration of drugs (especially LSD) and other chemicals, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, isolation, verbal and sexual abuse, as well as other forms of psychological torture. The scope was broad, with research undertaken at 80 institutions, including 44 colleges and universities, as well as hospitals, prisons, and pharmaceutical companies. Many subjects died under testing, or committed suicide. Others such as Frank Olson were murdered for threatening to expose the program. 1
Okay, so: my previous post about “surprises” aside, I will say this: in all likelihood, the universities could be either staunch allies of the CIA and State Department or sometimes unwitting and reluctant partners of them.
However, I would not underestimate the gravity of this: there have been calls in the mainstream media to “put academia back behind a Cold War against terrorism/communism/Russia/China/etc.” (I’m paraphrasing with those quotations). So, while yes, I do believe that the relationship between universities and academia in regard to the CIA and State Department could be a bit on-and-off, it’s likely that:
a) the “ties” themselves never went fully away after the Cold War ended in 1991
AND
b) give it 5 years and as the capitalist class mobilizes itself and its various factions against the global communist movement and Russia/China in particular, you will see a large section of “scholars/experts” either become stooges of the USA foreign policy estalbishment OR you’ll see new “up-comers” enter the field or get promoted in order to attack multi-lateralism or communism/socialism or other anti-imperialist or labor movements across the globe, including in the USA.
IMHO
Thoughts?
Basically: I don’t believe the capitalist class is completely united and consolidated behind the war drive… yet. China/Russia/Iran probably took them by surprise after 2008. But they definitely will ramp up a drive against who we are and our allies.
So, with that said: as I’ll reiterate, give it 5 years or so and we’ll see the New Cold War enter a more intensive phase.
@muad_dibber@lemmygrad.ml
I just don’t think this united capitalist is going to happen again seeing as how most of them are so busy taking in the riches of China’s economy. Capitalists are too concerned about short-term gains to formulate such long-term goals such as class unity against Communism. Would a capitalist really ever deny oneself a contract with a rich economy to form an anti-communist bloc?