Grace Blakeley reviews Vincent Bevins’ “The Jakarta Method,” which reveals the extensive atrocities committed by the U.S. in the name of combating communism during the Cold War. Focusing on the Indonesian genocide of 1965-66 instigated by U.S.-backed Suharto’s regime, the book highlights the subsequent anti-communist purges globally, underscoring a dark period of American foreign policy resulting in significant loss of life.
In her analysis, Grace Blakeley discusses Vincent Bevins’ book, “The Jakarta Method: Washington’s Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program That Shaped Our World,” which reveals the significant human cost of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. The book highlights the anti-communist massacres that occurred in Indonesia between 1965 and 1966, which were instigated by U.S.-backed dictator Suharto’s regime following the ousting of the anti-imperialist leader Sukarno. Bevins argues that Sukarno, although not a communist, was a pragmatic leader who sought to raise living standards while maintaining a balance of power among various factions, including Islamists and communists. However, as the Cold War escalated, the U.S. government shifted towards a mindset that viewed nations in the Global South as either aligned with or opposed to its interests. Consequently, U.S. support transitioned from Sukarno to Suharto, enabling a horrific campaign of violence that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, if not over a million Indonesians labeled as communists. The repressive tactics employed by Suharto were reflective of broader U.S. strategies in suppressing leftist movements across the globe. As Bevins documents, similar anti-communist purges occurred in at least twenty-two countries, demonstrating a systematic approach endorsed or supported by the United States. Historian John Coatsworth’s assessment highlights that the violence inflicted upon Latin America and other regions under U.S. operations far exceeded the casualties in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc during the same timeframe. Thus, “The Jakarta Method” not only recounts the specific atrocities in Indonesia but also serves as an examination of the ideological foundation that justified the widespread violence against opponents of capitalist regimes, leading to the emergence of authoritarian regimes worldwide under U.S. auspices. The book calls to attention the oppressive legacy of American capitalism used to extinguish dissent and suppress socialist movements internationally.
The narrative presented by Grace Blakeley reflects on the often-overlooked role of the United States in perpetrating violence under the guise of combating communism during the Cold War. Through Vincent Bevins’ meticulous research, the book uncovers how U.S. intervention and support for authoritarian regimes led to mass killings, with Indonesia serving as a pivotal example. The historical context of decolonization, the ideological struggles of the Cold War, and the U.S. foreign policy of the time are crucial for understanding the atrocities that unfolded, shaping geopolitical dynamics for decades to come.
In conclusion, “The Jakarta Method” serves as a powerful reminder of the violent lengths to which the United States has gone in the name of capitalism and anti-communism. The systematic slaughter of perceived leftists in Indonesia and other countries illustrates the dark underbelly of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, emphasizing the need to remember and critically analyze history to comprehend the enduring impacts of these actions on current global politics and humanitarian standards. The legacy of these events continues to resonate, reminding us of the responsibility to confront narratives that celebrate capitalist triumphs while neglecting the critical human costs involved.
Original Source: jacobin.com
