British educator and long-time China observer Michael Crook delivered a blunt critique of U.S. foreign policy in a recent interview, arguing that war has been a persistent feature of American global strategy.
When asked what he would say if he had the chance to speak with Donald Trump, Crook replied that such a conversation would likely be pointless.
"I don't think saying anything to Donald Trump would be useful at all," he said, arguing that Trump represents the interests of a particular class whose interests are tied to war. "The nature of imperialism is war. It is inevitable."
Crook also criticized what he described as double standards in global security politics. Pointing to nuclear weapons, he noted that the United States possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal and the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction.
Yet, he said, Washington often justifies military pressure or strikes on other countries based on the suspicion that they might develop nuclear weapons.
"Iran doesn't have any nuclear weapons," Crook said. "The U.S. has the most nuclear weapons in the world, but it says others might want them."
To illustrate the contradiction, he used a simple analogy: "It's like I have a hundred times more money than you, but you're not allowed to have money."
Looking at history, Crook argued that the pattern extends far beyond any single administration. "If you look at the last hundred years," he said, "the U.S. has been involved in wars all over the world, more or less nonstop."
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Video: Guo Hongda
Poster: Li Fangwang
