i think the answer to pcr's question is that the empire has been destroying everything it touches;

Will Washington Destroy the World?

Paul Craig Roberts

Americans who think themselves  informed because they watch CNN, read the NY Times, and listen to NPR, regard my warnings about nuclear war as disinformation, even hysteria.  They say that US government officials, such as Secretary of State Blinken and National Security advisor Jake Sullivan, are not stupid or insane.

Dear readers, you tell me how you can give permission for the US and NATO to fire missiles into Russia, especially when the Russian President has clearly stated it means the US and NATO are at war with Russia, and not be stupid and insane.  That Blinken and Sullivan gave this permission in the face of Russia revising her war doctrine and permitting nuclear weapons to be used at a lower threshold indicates that the United States has a Secretary of State and National Security Advisor who are disconnected from reality. 

All Americans, and perhaps the human population as a whole, might die as a result of these two utterly stupid men.  Both of the fools represent the military/security complex and Israel.  Neither is capable of thinking beyond the interest of the power and profit of the US military/security complex and Israel’s interest.  The military/security complex and Israel are their only constituencies.  The rest of the world is sacrificed to these two interests........more......