John Bolton - There is a War On For Your Mind and Your Vote

While Washington's go-to narrative repeatedly restates the Russian electoral interference story, recent releases of data from Cambridge Analytica shows that at least one American insider played a role in getting American voters to see things his way.  Thanks to @HindsightFiles on Twitter and Brittany Kaiser, a former Cambridge Analytica business development director, we have an inside glimpse into the war for our minds....and our votes.      

In case you have forgotten, Cambridge Analytica (CA) was the British firm that used Facebook user data to target political ads to what can only be described as vulnerable American voters.  By using data mining and analysis, Cambridge Analytica was able to collect data on voters including consumer behaviour, other internet activity and demographics without their permission and then tailor digital advertising to each of the voters.  The 2016 American presidential election and the 2014 midterm election were not the only election that Cambridge Analytica was active; it was also active during election cycles in Australia, Malta, India, Kenya, the United Kingdom and Mexico among others.  In fact, in 2019, Cambridge Analytica executives stated that they had been active in more than 200 elections around the world.

Before we go any further and to help you better understand this posting, let's look at a definition for psychographic data.  Here's a definition:

"Psychographic data consist of information about a person’s values, attitudes, interests and personality traits. In essence, compiling psychographic data builds a profile about how a person views the world, the things that interest them and what triggers motivate them to action."

As you can imagine, in the technologically-based world that we live in today, psychographic data about individual voters is virtually an electoral gold mine that can be used to manipulate those among us who are not particularly deep thinkers.

Now, let's look at one aspect of Cambridge Analytica's activities in the 2016 American presidential election that has come to light thanks to Ms. Kaiser's revelations.  Let's start by looking at an email from Robert Murtfeld, former director of commercial sales/director of business sales at Cambridge Analytica as shown here:

Here is the email:

Do you notice a familiar name (highlighted for your convenience) in this email?  That's right, Cambridge Analytica was doing work for John Bolton's Super PAC during the 2014 midterm election.  What I found particularly interesting is that one of these ads targets "people that are high in neuroticism, who tend to be anxious and to see the world as a dangerous place" (kind of sounds like John Bolton, doesn't it?). Here is the ad created for your viewing pleasure by Cambridge Analytica:

Here is another email linking Cambridge Analytica and John Bolton and the use of psychographic data to target voters:

Here is an mail from Alex Taylor of Cambridge Analytica regarding the setting up of a database for the American Conservative Union (ACU) in which John Bolton played a key role and the Mercer family which was then part owner of Cambridge Analytica and donors to the ACU :

Lastly, here is an analysis showing the case study for Cambridge Analytica's offshoot, CA Political providing us information on how the John Bolton Super PAC and how their use of psychographics managed to shift their opinions:

Let's close this posting with a thought.  Given this distribution of Facebook users in the United States (January 2018):

...and this global distribution of Twitter users (October 2019):

...it is already quite likely that some outside party is already using our personal data to influence the outcome of the 2020 United States presidential election....and it's not necessarily just Russia, China or Iran.  Sometimes the devil you know is your next door neighbour.  

This release from the files of Cambridge Analytica show the lengths that John Bolton, an unelected American, was willing to go to to get American voters to see the world his way.  His Super PACs use of psychographics to manipulate voters is just another fine example of the war that is on for our minds and our votes.

Christians United for Israel - How the Republican Party is Rallying the Anti-Iran Forces

Updated September 2019

Washington's chief warrior, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Advisor John Bolton and Vice President Mike Pence recently found themselves sharing the podium at the annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) summit in Washington, D.C.  The attendance at this event by these three headlining gentlemen shows us how important Donald Trump values his pro-Israeli evangelical Christian base.  At this event, all three men gave rousing speeches that included comments on the ever present boogeyman in the room, Iran, the existential enemy of Israel.  In this posting, I will provide you with key excerpts from all three speeches, showing how Washington is playing into Israel's narrative of Iran.

Let's start with the Vice President.  Here is what Mike Pence had to say about Iran to his Israel-friendly Christian audience:

"And let me assure you, while any peace will undoubtedly require compromise, you can be confident of this: The United States of America will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel. (Applause.)

In the wake of all those actions, finally the President also made one other promise.  He promised to stand up to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror.  And he did just that when he withdrew the United States of America from the disastrous Iran nuclear deal. (Applause.)  There will be no more pallets of cash to the mullahs in Iran. (Applause.)

Now, Pastor Hagee mentioned that I served in the Congress of the United States.  I was on the Foreign Affairs Committee.  And back when I was in the Congress, there was actually a bipartisan group of members of Congress who brought together sanctions on Iran, years ago.  And those sanctions were isolating a regime that was — and bringing tremendous pressure on it.

But, in 2015, we all remember, when the Iran nuclear deal was signed, all of that pressure went away.

The previous administration’s so-called deal didn’t prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  It simply delayed it for roughly a decade.  In exchange, the deal gave away billions of dollars in cash and sanctions relief that Iran has used to fund more terrorist attacks on innocents across the region.

President Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, and we have re-imposed every last sanction that was lifted. (Applause.)

And under this President, we’ve implemented a maximum-pressure campaign to change Iran’s malign behavior and hold the regime accountable for its destructive actions.  It’s remarkable to think that, as we speak, our actions are already having an effect.  They’re cutting off the regime’s ability to support their terrorist minions across the Middle East.

The Iranian economy is reeling under unprecedented U.S. sanctions. And now — now Iran must choose between caring for its people and continuing to fund its proxies who spread violence and terrorism throughout the region and breathe out murderous hatred against Israel.

Over the last several months, despite promises and hopes to the contrary in 2015, Iran has been even increasing more of their malign activity and violence in the region.  We’ve all witnessed it.  Last month, Iran attacked tankers passing near the Strait of Hormuz, and they downed an unmanned American drone.

And last week, Iran exceeded the amount of low-enriched uranium it can have.  Today — today, it actually proclaimed it was going to start enriching uranium beyond the levels permitted by the agreement."

He then went on to discuss his trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau, reminding his audience that another holocaust could lie in wait, just around the corner, thanks to malign actors like Iran.

Now, let's look at what Mike Pompeo had to say.  Here is a video of his entire speech:

Here are some key excerpts:

"This administration has made a real effort to protect Christians and other threatened religious minorities in Iraq and elsewhere, and we’re making real progress.  (Applause.) The flame of existence of Christians must not be snuffed out.  Their unalienable rights – Christians’ unalienable rights in the Middle East – their right to worship must not be taken away.  (Applause.)

Persecution of the faithful is especially intense inside the Islamic Republic of Iran.  The regime’s militant adherence to the noxious tenets of the Islamic Revolution dictates all elements of life – and especially the suppression of other faiths.

In Iran, if Muslims try to convert non-Muslims, the penal code calls for a death sentence.

The government does not recognize converts to Christianity. It levies beatings and solitary confinement on Christians caught worshiping in violation of government dictates.

Last year, an Iranian court upheld a 10-year prison sentences on four Iranian Christians who were “acting against national security” by, quote, “promoting Zionist Christianity,” end of quote, and running house churches. This is something we know in America.

Instead, instead of following the normal summons procedure, authorities raided their homes, beat them, and used electroshock weapons on them. They then threw them into Evin Prison – a regime dungeon inside of Tehran.

Every day I pray, and I’d ask you too, to pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran – and not just for them, but people of all faiths who are persecuted there in Iran.  (Applause.)

I’m from Kansas, and there are – yeah, I love it, we’ve got Kansans out there.  I’m sure there’s more and you’re just quiet people.  (Laughter.)  A lot of people get spun up with the wrong ideas that American evangelicals want to impose a theocracy on America.  I wish they would be concerned about the real theocratic takeover that has been happening in Iran for the last four decades.  (Applause.)  The ayatollahs have grievously deprived the Iranian people of that most basic, simple, fundamental right, their right to worship.

That same twisted, intolerant doctrine that fuels persecution inside Iran has also led the ayatollah and his cronies to cry out, quote, “death to Israel” for four decades now.  This is similar to a cry that came out of Iran – then called Persia ‒ many, many years ago.  The Book of Esther teaches us about this.  It was in the 5th century B.C.  There was a wicked advisor named King Xerxes.  A fellow named Haman hatched a plot to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire.  He secretly wrote letters with the king’s seal to all the provincial governors, ordering the people to rise up and attack the Jews.  This edict, once issued, could not be revoked.  But thanks to the courageous intervention of Queen Esther, who begged the king to show mercy to her people, Haman’s plot was exposed and the Jews were ultimately spared.  Today this marks the Jewish holiday of Purim and it commemorates this amazing miracle. (Applause.)

I wanted to tell this story today for a couple of reasons, because similar threats to the Jewish people have marked other eras as well – think of the Roman devastation of Jerusalem, the vicious pogroms throughout European history, and the Holocaust.   The Jews have had a target on their back in every era of history. And as the Book of Ecclesiastes says, “There is [indeed] nothing new under the sun.”

But thank God.  Thank God we have a leader in President Trump – an immovable friend of Israel. (Applause.)  His commitment, his commitment – President Trump’s commitment is the strongest in history, and it’s been one of the best parts of my job to turn that commitment into real action.  (Applause.)

You know the stories, but we’ve implemented the strongest pressure campaign in history against the Iranian regime, and we are not done. (Applause.)

We’ve cut off billions in funds that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s leadership would have used for various nefarious purposes, not the least of which would have been their efforts to destroy the state of Israel.

It is also the case that under President Trump, the Israel haters such as Hamas and Hizballah and Islamic Jihad receive far less blood money from Iran to pursue their terrorism than ever in recent history.  (Applause.)"

While some of John Bolton's comments were cut off on this recording, here is a 20 minute-long video of his speech:

Here are some key excerpts:

"I am here to tell you today, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran is working. (Applause) A little over a year ago, our critics predicted we couldn’t do it. Our unilateral sanctions, they said, would not be effective. Since then, the United States has levied the toughest ever sanctions on the Iranian regime and Iran’s economy is, to quote the Financial Times, “collapsing under their weight.” (Applause)…

As I said earlier this year in Miami, under this administration no regime that chants “Death to America” or “Death to Israel” will get a deal from this administration. (Loud Applause) We will continue to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime until it abandons its nuclear program and ends its violent activities across the Middle East, including conducting and supporting terrorism around the world."

In case you haven't heard enough from the 2019 edition of CUFI, here is a three hour and forty-five minute video of some of the speeches given:

Since these three men represent America's Christian community, Israel's very best friends forever, let's close with this brief look at what the Bible has to say about the topic of peace.  Various forms of the word "peace" are used 429 times in the King James Version of the Bible.  One of the best known verses that invokes peace is found in Matthew 5:9 as follows:

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."  

Two other pertinent verses that invoke peace are found as follows:

"Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14

"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."  Romans 14:19

These three gentlemen who are being used to solidify the electoral support of America's Christian right seem to have forgotten that one of the key tenets of Christianity is the concept of peace.  Their "turning of plowshares into swords", particularly when it comes to Iran, stands in complete opposition to what they claim to believe in their religious lives.  That, to me, is a prime example of "Cafeteria Christianity" where one picks and chooses what they believe.

John Bolton - A Force for Global Insecurity

With United States National Security Advisor John Bolton offering his warrior-like take on nations like Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and others, I thought that a look back in time was in order.

Back in the Bush II era, you may recall that George W. Bush and his right-hand man, Richard Cheney, appointed the moustachioed war hawk to represent the United States at the United Nations.  The long-time critic of the UN who made the comment in 1994 that if the the 38 story United Nations building lost ten stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, could not achieve the needed confirmation by the United States Senate to take his post as UN ambassador.  As salve to his wounded ego, Mr. Bolton was offered a recess appointment on August 1, 2006 which meant that his term as ambassador to the United Nations expired when Congress concluded on January 3, 2007.

What you may not have been aware of was the fact that a very significant number of former American ambassadors signed a letter opposing John Bolton's nomination to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.  In this time of political polarization and given that Mr. Bolton can best be described as an ideological conservative, it is interesting to see that 46 out of 59 of the signing ambassadors and politicos served in Republican administrations including the Nixon, Reagan and Bush I Administrations.  Imagine that happening today!

Here is a copy of the two page letter which is addressed to the leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

  

Here are the signature pages (excluding the three individuals on page two of the letter) showing how widely concerning the appointment of John Bolton was to the American diplomatic community and to politicos who had negotiated key arms control treaties for the United States:

I would like to pick out key excerpts that are pertinent given Washington's recent withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty or INF:

"John Bolton has an exceptional record of opposition to efforts to enhance U.S. security through arms control. He led a campaign against ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Today, the administration is pressing for development of new types of nuclear weapons.

John Bolton led the successful campaign for U.S. withdrawal from the treaty limiting missile defenses (ABM Treaty). The effects of this action included elimination of the sole treaty barrier to the weaponization of space. In the face of decades of votes in the UN General Assembly calling for negotiation of a treaty to block deployment of weapons in space, he has blocked negotiation in the Geneva Conference on Disarmament of a treaty on this subject. The administration has repeatedly proposed programs calling for weapon deployment in space.

As chief negotiator of the 2002 Moscow Treaty on withdrawing U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons from field deployment, John Bolton structured a treaty without its own verification regime, without required progress reports from both sides, without the requirement to destroy warheads withdrawn from deployment, and without provision for negotiating continued reductions. Under his guidance, the State Department repudiated important consensus agreements reached in the year 2000 Review Conference of the Non-proliferation Treaty and has even blocked the formulation of an agenda for the next review conference to be held in May 2005." (my bolds)

Apparently in Washington today, it's just business as usual for Mr. Bolton.

As you can see from this posting, John Bolton has had an inordinate amount of control over America's nuclear weapons policies, control that he has had for over two decades and that he still retains in the Trump Administration.  Given his penchant for blustering and bullying, this unelected, multi-administration Washington insider is a man to be feared.  However, there is one thing he must be credited for - he certainly is a force for global insecurity.  Unfortunately, we are the ones that may end up paying for his rabid views.  

Venezuela - The Proxy for the Cold War Part 2

While it received negligible coverage in the Western media, an important meeting was held in Wuzhen, China by key members of the new global multipolar order, China, India and Russia aka the RICs.  During this trilateral meeting of nations that represent 2.9 billion people or nearly ten times the population of the United States, one of the topics that was discussed was the situation in Venezuela.

Here is the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation showing what the foreign ministers of the three nations discussed:

Here is what Tass, Russia's largest news agency had to say about the meeting and the conclusions that the three nations made about Venezuela:

"Russia keeps a close eye on brazen US attempts to create an artificial pretext for a military intervention in Venezuela, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Indian and Chinese counterparts, Sushma Swaraj and Wang Yi.

"We are watching closely the reports about what is really happening there. We see how absolutely brazen attempts have been taken to artificially create a pretext for military intervention," Lavrov said. "We hear direct threats from Washington that all options remain on the table. The actual implementation of these threats is pulling in military equipment and training [US] special forces," he said.

The attempts to break through the Venezuelan border under the pretext of delivering humanitarian aid have been made "in hopes that there will be casualties," Lavrov noted. "Then hysterical screaming will follow under the well-known scenario and an attempt of military intervention will be carried out."

Moscow has been actively cooperating with all countries that are also concerned over the looming prospect of a military action, the foreign minister said. "It’s no coincidence that Brazil’s leadership has already stated that it won’t participate in this and provide its territory for the US for aggression against Venezuela," he noted.

"I believe that no Latin American country, including members of the so-called Lima Group, actively calling for an early presidential election and supporting [self-proclaimed president] Juan Guaido, has voiced support for military intervention," he noted.

Russia’s top diplomat called on the United States to listen to the opinion of regional states. "First of all, we advise to focus on the ideas of the Montevideo Mechanism envisaging a nationwide dialogue with participation of all political forces," Lavrov explained. "Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly stated his readiness for such a dialogue. Unfortunately, Mr. Guaido and his allies reject these proposals and only demand meeting their ultimatum on an early presidential election." (my bold)

After the trilateral meeting, Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, met with the Acting Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez on March 1, 2019.  After that meeting, Mr. Lavrov made the following comments:

"Venezuela is an old and reliable partner of ours. Today we have reaffirmed our solidarity with the people and the legitimate government of the country and also supported its efforts to protect its sovereignty and independence.

We are in complete agreement on the need for unconditional adherence to the fundamental principles envisaged in the UN Charter by all states without exception – non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs above all. It is especially important today when the entire world can see the cynical campaign that aims to topple the legitimate Venezuelan government, including by threatening it with direct military intervention.

Russia has consistently spoken in support of the exclusively peaceful resolution of internal Venezuelan problems. It is obvious that Venezuelans must independently take steps to fix the current situation without instructions, pressure or ultimatums from the outside.

We have expressed our solidarity with the friendly Venezuelan people and our support for the measures taken by Nicolas Maduro’s government to prevent further destabilisation. We have reaffirmed our readiness to join in the efforts of regional and international mediators calling for an inclusive national dialogue. As I have said, we will be ready to join in given the consent of the main political forces in Venezuela.

Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed what President Nicolas Maduro has said repeatedly: that the Venezuelan leadership is ready for such a dialogue. Of course, it is unfortunate that the opposition has consistently rejected dialogue – upon direct instructions from Washington, as we all know very well.

Ms. Rodriguez also informed us about the developments in Venezuela’s domestic politics and told us about the efforts to stabilise the socioeconomic situation that has deteriorated, as we all know, as a result of illegitimate unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States on the leading sectors of the Venezuelan economy and the freezing of Venezuela’s state assets abroad, above all in the United States and Great Britain....

Russia will continue to support the Venezuelan authorities in resolving its socioeconomic problems, including through provision of legitimate humanitarian assistance. We proceed from the premise that the best way to help the Venezuelans is to expand practical, pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation. In this context we mapped out steps towards strengthening links in trade, investment, industrial production and finances, pursuant to the agreements reached by presidents Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Maduro last December in Moscow." (my bolds)

Mr. Lavrov also went on to note that there will be a high-level intergovernmental meeting of the two nations in Moscow in early April 2019 at which they will discuss the implementation of large projects in geological exploration and upstream operations and defense industry cooperation among other things.

When asked about the U.S. plans to establish an illegal armed unit in Venezuela, here is what he had to say:

"We are certainly worried about the US plans to arm militants in order to destabilise the situation in Venezuela and, frankly speaking, invade this sovereign country. The US is not embarrassed to speak openly about it. According to incoming reports, the US plans to buy small arms, mortars, portable air defence systems and a number of other types of weapons in an East European country, and move them closer to Venezuela by an airline of a regime that is the most, or rather absolutely obedient to Washington in the post-Soviet space.

Naturally, we see these intentions. Many other countries, including Venezuela’s next door neighbours, see them, too. Brazil and Columbia, for one, announced their intention not to support plans for a military invasion of Venezuela in any way. If they keep their promise and firmly adhere to this position, the US plans are unlikely to materialise. I hope the absolute, universal rejection of military scenarios by the world will cool down the hotheads in Washington, although some of them are truly unstoppable. But we will work on the basis of international law and demand that the US respect the UN Charter."

Now, let's look at what the United States Warrior-in-Chief, John Bolton, had to say during a one-on-one discussion with Jake Tapper on CNN:

.@AmbJohnBolton on Venezuela: “I’d like to see as broad a coalition as we can put together to replace Maduro”@jaketapper: Do you not see US support for other dictators around the world undermines the credibility of your argument?

Bolton: “No, I don’t think it does." #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/hJH9br8E6t

— CNN (@CNN) March 3, 2019

 

Here are two key quotes from his musings:

“I’d like to see as broad a coalition as we can put together to replace Maduro, to replace the whole corrupt regime.  That’s what we’re trying to do.”

“In this administration we’re not afraid to use the phrase ‘Monroe Doctrine.  This is a country in our hemisphere and it’s been the objective of American presidents going back to Ronald Reagan to have a completely Democratic hemisphere.”

And, Mr. Bolton mentions Venezuela's corrupt regime, Transparency International's most recent Corruptions Perceptions Index for 2018 noted that the United States came in 22nd place, just ahead of the United Arab Emirates, down from 16th place in 201 as shown here:

If he wants to go to war so badly, perhaps Mr. Bolton should don a Marine uniform, pick up an M16A4 rifle, strap a parachute on his back and launch himself into the midst of the looming South American hostilities.  That will prove the mettle of the man.

In any case, it certainly appears that Venezuela is becoming the Vietnam of the new millennium with both sides in the Cold War Part 2 using the nation as a proxy for their global agenda.  The only problem is that, this time there is a new player on the scene.  China is a growing world power and has shown that it is backing Russia, unlike the situation during the first Cold War.

Mike Pompeo on Latin America - Waging Peace?

In a recent interview with Christina Londono of Telemundo, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo clearly showed America's "cards" when it comes to Venezuela and Nicaragua, two nations that are part of John Bolton's Troika of Tyranny as outlined here:

"Yet today, in this Hemisphere, we are also confronted once again with the destructive forces of oppression, socialism, and totalitarianism.

In Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, we see the perils of poisonous ideologies left unchecked, and the dangers of domination and suppression.

This afternoon, I am here to deliver a clear message from the President of the United States on our policy toward these three regimes.

Under this administration, we will no longer appease dictators and despots near our shores.

We will not reward firing squads, torturers, and murderers.

We will champion the independence and liberty of our neighbors.

And this President, and his entire administration, will stand with the freedom fighters.

The Troika of Tyranny in this Hemisphere—Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua—has finally met its match." (my bold)

Here are some key excerpts from the Telemundo interview with Mr. Pompeo:

"I truly hope that the Maduro regime is listening, that they’re going to allow the Venezuelan people to receive food – I mean, it’s just crazy to be talking about a government, a leader who would deny food for his own people and medical care, and I hope he changes his mind. I hope he permits this to move forward. It’s a desperate need, one that has now begun to be met by the world. And what happens if he doesn’t I think the Venezuelan people will ultimately decide." (my bold)

Here is a brief very recent video showing the propaganda being fed to us about Venezuela and the real world situation on the ground according to Max Blumenthal:

Here is another one showing a government subsidized market:

One might almost think that CNN has drunk deeply from Washington's special flavour of Koolaid.

When asked if the United States was ready to give Venezuela an ultimatum or a time table for getting rid of their democratically elected President Maduro, here is what he had to say:

"One of the things the Trump administration’s been very clear about is we don’t show our hand. We don’t tell others what we may do. But I think the Maduro regime completely understands that America is committed to supporting President Guaido and the popular will of the Venezuelan people, and we’re going to be hard at it, not only today and tomorrow as this aid begins to move across the borders, but in the days and weeks and months that follow. This is an objective that we have set to help the Venezuelan people succeed, and we’re determined to achieve that outcome." (my bold)

Actually, to me, that pretty much looks like "showing our hand".

When asked about American assistance for the other two nations in Bolton's Troika of Tyranny, here is the exchange:

"SECRETARY POMPEO: President Trump’s administration has done so and will continue to do so not just in Venezuela but certainly Nicaragua and Cuba as well. And you see that. You see that in the policies. They’re very different from the previous administration. They recognize that these governments are treating their people harshly, presenting real risks, security risks to the people, privacy risks, denying them basic liberties. And these are not the kind of things that ought to happen in the Western Hemisphere, and the United States under President Trump is working diligently in not just Venezuela but each of those two countries to achieve good outcomes for those people. The people need to lead those efforts. I’m convinced that they are determined to do it as well. The American people will support them.

QUESTION: So you’re hoping for a domino effect?

SECRETARY POMPEO: I hope that each of those countries, that the citizens of those countries understand that the yoke of authoritarianism that has been foisted upon them is not necessary, that the corruption of those regimes is not necessary, that the bad behavior and difficult living conditions that those people find themselves in today is not necessary, that they can have a different life and that they’ll contribute their efforts, their goodwill, and their humanity towards achieving a better political situation, both in Venezuela and Nicaragua and Cuba as well." (my bolds)

If you happen to be interested, here is the video of the interview in its entirety.

In a January 2019 speech at The American University in Cairo, Mike Pompeo proudly made the following comment:

"In my office, I keep a Bible open on my desk to remind me of God and His Word, and The Truth."

I guess he's conveniently forgotten this verse:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."  Matthew 5:9

Interestingly, the word "peace" is found 91 times in the New Testament.  But then again, I guess it all depends on your definition of "peace", doesn't it.