Let's talk about the Trump Institute of Peace....

episode

Belle of the Ranch 4 min 1 speaker 5 chapters transcribed 1 month ago

▲ 0

Transcript

jump: chapters · speakers · find in transcript

Transcript

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Why did the Trump administration rename the US Institute for Peace?

Belle of the Ranch 0:01

Well, howdy there internet people it spell again So today we're going to talk about the Trump Institute of Peace. The Trump administration has apparently decided to rename the US Institute for Peace. The Trump Institute for Peace. Because of course they did. The announcement comes as the Trump administration is embroiled in defending its definitely not peaceful initiatives down south. The irony of this move is that it seems pretty clear that the Trump administration may not be entirely familiar with the nonpartisan independent institute. Based on the name, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the entity was a product of Camelot era programs from Kennedy. The institute is supposed to be governed by a bipartisan board of directors with fifteen members.

Belle of the Ranch 0:59

Some of the board's membership is mandated.

What is the governance structure and funding sources of the Institute?

Belle of the Ranch 1:02

The Secretary of Defense and the President of the National Defense University are must be on the board. The entity isn't some hyper left agency. It was established by legislation signed by Ronald Reagan. Its original mission, as outlined, was to quote Serve the people of the government through the widest possible range of education and training. Basic and applied research opportunities, and peace information services on the means to promote international peace and the resolution of conflicts among the nations and peoples of the world without recourse to violence. In recent years, the Institute has had a budget of roughly fifty million a year. Plus or minus. But it also picks up some additional funding from entities like the Department of State, USAID, and the Department of Defense.

What was the original mission and annual budget of the Institute for Peace?

Belle of the Ranch 2:05

You might be getting some spooky vibes from this information. So Just to be clear, the Institute does actually perform operations in support of bringing about peaceful, nonviolent resolutions to conflict. Recently, a White House spokesperson said quote The United States Institute of Peace was once a bloated, useless entity that blew fifty million per year while delivering no peace. Now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, which is both beautifully and aptly named, after a president who ended eight wars in less than a year. will stand as a powerful reminder of what strong leadership can accomplish for global stability. Fact check. Trump hasn't ended eight wars, much less in less than a year.

Did Trump really end eight wars in less than a year?

Belle of the Ranch 3:03

Some of its most high profile work occurs in conflict zones. If you were in Iraq around two thousand seven ish, working in the Al Anbar area. Best known as the Triangle of Death. You watched as things suddenly and dramatically calm down. That was because the Institute came in at the request of Tenth Mountain, and brought together various factions and worked out a mini piece. Sunni, Shiite, and military leaders at one table. Casualties and violence plummeted. I'm sure you think the Institute's work was worth fifty mil. That's less than a dozen Bradleys. Trump slapping his name on this will likely be a short lived thing, and it will revert after his administration.

How could renaming the institute impact its nonpartisan work?

Belle of the Ranch 3:57

Not just is the Independent Institute supposed to be nonpartisan. The kind of work the Institute does will be undermined by being associated with a figure like Trump. Despite the attempts to cast Trump as a peacemaker. Those outside of the Republican Party, and certainly those outside of the United States, don't see him that way. Some of the institute's most important work occurs dealing with countries Trump has bombed. It's also worth remembering that there's been a lengthy legal battle over Trump's gutting of the institute he now wants to slap his name on. Anyway. It's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

Select any passage to copy it with its citation or turn it into a shareable card.