The article discusses historical assurances made by Western leaders, particularly U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev regarding NATO’s expansion during German unification in 1990, which were later broken. Declassified documents reveal that multiple leaders had considered NATO membership for Central and Eastern European countries but led the Soviets to believe such expansion would not occur. The author highlights criticism from former CIA Director Robert Gates and George Kennan, who viewed the expansion as a significant error contributing to ongoing tensions with Russia. Additionally, the article draws a parallel between NATO’s status as a “Sacred Cow” in U.S. foreign policy and the perception of vaccines in public health, suggesting that both are entrenched interests resistant to critique or change. The author questions whether political figures like Trump and Kennedy will challenge these powerful institutions.

Editor’s Note: This article critically examines the consequences of broken diplomatic promises and the entrenched interests that shape international relations and public health policies. The assurances made to Gorbachev regarding NATO expansion reflect a failure of trust that has had lasting repercussions on U.S.-Russia relations, illustrating how political decisions can create enduring conflict and instability.

By likening NATO’s unassailable position to the unquestioned faith in vaccines, the author underscores a broader societal tendency to accept certain narratives without scrutiny, which can stifle necessary debate and reform. [Now is not the time for blind faith! Remember the COVID era? If you have forgotten, here are some articles to remind you: US Adds ICD Codes To Monitor Vaccination Status, Refer Unvaccinated to “Re-Education” Camps, Duque Dials Fear, Says Those Who Died from COVID are Unvaccinated, Austria Has Fallen to Tyranny, Orders Lockdown for Unvaccinated, Germany is Excluding the Unvaccinated from Democracy, No freedom in Australia: Unvaccinated cannot participate in society, Mainstream Media Creates Unethical Narrative Urging Doctors to Withhold Treatment for Unvaccinated, France suspends 3,000 unvaccinated health workers, ‘Let them die’: Canada’s largest newspaper promotes hostility toward the unvaccinated, French stores deny food and water to unvaccinated].

This parallel raises essential questions about accountability and the role of leadership in challenging established norms. As figures like Trump and Kennedy emerge, their willingness to confront these powerful interests could signify a pivotal moment for foreign policy and public health, potentially reshaping how society engages with complex issues that impact collective well-being.

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