The WikiLeaks Files: The World According to US Empire

Imagine a vast, invisible web stretching across the globe, its threads composed of encrypted cables, satellite signals, and whispered secrets. This is the anatomy of the US Empire, a sprawling, interconnected system of power that operates through its diplomatic missions, intelligence agencies, and military outposts. Inside the 169 embassies scattered worldwide, more than 71,000 personnel from 27 government agencies converge, each playing a role in this intricate dance of influence and control. Ambassadors, career diplomats, spies masquerading as foreign service officers, military attachés, contractors, and local staff all contribute to maintaining the empire's reach.

At the heart of this system lies the State Department’s cable network, a digital nervous system transmitting millions of messages daily, shaping decisions from Washington to the remotest corners of the world. But this communication is not merely functional; it is a manifestation of power itself. The way information is created, indexed, stored, and who can read or write it, defines the empire’s very existence. The empire changes as its modes of communication evolve.

Secrecy is the lifeblood of this empire. The cables, once classified, carry a sacred aura within the national security state. When these documents leak, as they did through WikiLeaks, they become toxic, forbidden objects. Cleared personnel are prohibited from reading publicly available copies, creating a paradox where the same document is simultaneously accessible and forbidden depending on its source. This quasi-religious reverence for secrecy protects the empire’s inner workings but erects barriers to public understanding and accountability.

This intricate system is not just about diplomacy; it houses the CIA, NSA, FBI, and military intelligence, all coexisting under one roof, sharing resources and objectives. The State Department is unique in this integration, providing cover and infrastructure for covert operations and intelligence gathering. The empire projects itself as a benign force, but beneath the surface lies a complex machinery of control and influence.

Understanding this anatomy is crucial because it reveals how the US wields power not just through military might but through information, surveillance, and diplomacy. It shows that empire is not simply about territory but about managing knowledge and shaping narratives.

As we move forward, we will delve into how this empire interacts with authoritarian regimes, balancing rhetoric and realpolitik, and how human rights become tools in this grand strategy. The story of empire is as much about ideas and secrecy as it is about guns and money.