The simplest definition of “statesploitation” is a scheme where the few benefit at the expense of the many.

One prime example is the 2001 AUMF (Authorization of the Use of Military Force). It was signed by President George W. Bush on September 18, 2001, 18 years ago this week.

At the time, most people thought it was directed at Al Qaeda, blamed for the 9/11 attacks. Perhaps the Afghanistan's Taliban government was the target because it hosted the terrorist group.

The AUMF had initial successes:

Most of Al Qaeda was quickly killed or captured.
The Taliban government was quickly overthrown.

But the AUMF was so vague and open-ended that three consecutive Presidents have used it to promote "nation-building" in Afghanistan and engage the military in 13 other countries.

Who's benefiting from this endless "War on Terror?"

Presidents seeking more power.
The Military-Industrial Complex, which enjoys greater war-related budgets.
Senior members of Congress who have greater clout in creating those budgets.
Senior Administration and military officials making names for themselves (when they retire, they litter TV news shows with their "expertise").
The regime media companies for whom war "sells."

There’s an awful lot of losing: military service members killed, wounded, or struggling with emotional scars (and failing, at a rate of 20 suicides per day).

For these reasons, tell Congress to...