GEOPOLITICS-CRITIQUE-SESSION-2026-02-12

 

GEOPOLITICS-CRITIQUE-SESSION-2026-02-12

U.S.–Israel–Gaza–Cuba geopolitics demands a structured lens to track evolving patterns of hegemony, collective punishment, and liberal dissent. This template supports ongoing notes, building on prior academic commentary refinements.

Current Context Notes

• U.S. Policy Shifts (2026): Trump's "America First" reaffirms Monroe Doctrine influences in Latin America, with heightened focus on Venezuela/Cuba sanctions amid Gaza's protracted siege. Links U.S.-backed Israel operations to hemispheric containment.
• AOC's Assertion: Positions Gaza as precedent for Cuba—biopolitical "grid" of blockades, sanctions, population anxiety.
• Key Tensions: Imperial continuity vs. liberal critique; media frames Gaza as security, Cuba as democracy deficit.

Section I: Theoretical Anchors

Track evolving frameworks:

• Biopolitics: Population management via siege/deprivation (Gaza parallels: caloric control; Cuba: embargo chronicity).
• Imperial Governance: U.S. exports punitive models—Gaza "lessons" normalize Cuba escalation?
• Discursive Power: AOC contests "War on Terror" narratives extending to "Axis of Autocracy."

Ongoing Notes:

[Date: 2026-02-12] Initial: Gaza siege (2023-) sets discursive stage for Cuba sanctions renewal.

[Future: ] Add Trump 2.0 Venezuela links?

Section II: Case Linkages

Dimension	Gaza (Israel/U.S.)	Cuba (U.S.)	Systemic Pattern?
Mechanism	Blockade, airstrikes	Embargo, remittances curbs	Collective punishment via economic suffocation ​
Population Impact	Displacement, famine risk	Shortages, migration	Anxiety grid: fear as governance
U.S. Role	Arms/funding	Sanctions enforcement	Hegemonic precedent-setting
Liberal Critique	AOC: "Sets stage"	Dissent on human cost	Reveals biopolitical continuity

Ongoing Notes:

• Evidence gaps: Track UN reports on Gaza caloric intake vs. Cuba food insecurity.
• Counter: Sovereignty defenses (Israel self-defense; Cuba regime change rationale).

Section III: Psychological/Sociological Dynamics

• Grid of Anxiety: Interlocking media cycles amplify threat perceptions—Gaza visuals precondition Cuba "failure" narratives.
• Liberal Consciousness: AOC embodies shift; track congressional votes on aid/sanctions.

Ongoing Notes:

 [2026-02-12] Population data: Gaza 2M under siege; Cuba 11M embargoed 60+ yrs.

[Future: ] Add polls on U.S. public sympathy shifts.

Section IV: Normative Implications

• Ethical Query: Does linkage aid solidarity or dilute specificity?
• Policy Hooks: Sanctions reform; Gaza ceasefire as Cuba precedent.

Ongoing Notes:

• Research Directions: Comparative biopolitics studies; AOC rhetoric evolution.

Meta-Tracking

• Session Log: 2026-02-12: Template init. Prior: Academic prompt iterations.
• Next Action: Update with Venezuela/Maduro developments? Expand to Iran proxies?

Copy-paste to expand; reply with dated entries (e.g., "[2026-02-13] New: ...") for continuity.