Publisher’s note: Since 2005, we’ve been writing about the US Empire and the Pentagon’s plan for “full spectrum dominance” of planet Earth and outer space. Here’s an update – straight from Exxon point man / “Secretary of State” Rex Tillerson’s mouth. Oh, and helpful graph/maps, thanks to PrepareForChange.net.

Washington, DC intends permanent occupation of Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Through its empire of bases and global deployment of special forces, it colonized most countries worldwide, including its key EU and Asian allies.

It constitutes an outrageous affront to their sovereignty not resisted, on the phony pretext of protecting national security and theirs, at a time America and they have no enemies except invented ones to maintain a permanent state of war and emergency conditions.

Most people are none the wiser about the egregious assault on their freedoms and welfare.

What’s going on represents a hugely dangerous public betrayal, a reckless attempt by Washington to pursue its hegemonic agenda, a colossal misuse of the nation’s resources, a horrendous affront to humanity, undermining world peace and stability – risking eventual nuclear war, a doomsday scenario if launched.

On Monday, Rex Tillerson testified before Senate Foreign Relations Committee members, his remarks an outrageous display of imperial arrogance and hawkishness.

Senator Tom Udall asked: “If US forces are told to leave, will we depart Iraq or will be stay uninvited as our forces are doing in Syria, and under what legal authority will they remain?”

Tillerson responded saying: “We will remain in Iraq until ISIS is defeated and we are confident that ISIS has been defeated.”

Fact: America created and supports ISIS, using its fighters as imperial foot soldiers, deploying them where the Pentagon wants them operating – while pretending to be combating them.

Fact: The same is true for al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

Fact: Without support from Washington, NATO, Israel and their rogue allies, these groups wouldn’t exist.

Fact: Their weapons and munitions are made in the USA and allied countries, supplied to terrorist fighters, the only way they can get them – other than small arms, ineffective in combat.

Tillerson: “(W)e are (in Iraq) at the invitation of (its) government. (PM Abadi) has given to me no indication he is in any particular hurry to have us depart.”

Fact: Abadi is a US-installed puppet, taking orders from Washington. If resists, he’ll be replaced.

Fact: America is an occupying power against the will of Iraqis, Syrians, Afghans and other people elsewhere.

Fact: No legal basis exists for US occupation of any countries – governments worldwide pressured, or lied to about nonexistent threats, getting them to agree to Washington’s presence, many with leadership subservient to US interests.

Asked for clarification of Tillerson’s remarks, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert declined to elaborate.

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White lied like her boss, saying “(w)e are in Iraq to defeat ISIS, and as (the secretary) said we are there by invitation.”

Even if asked to leave, US forces intend staying in Iraq and other countries permanently.

Tillerson lied claiming the 2001 AUMF gave Washington legal authority to stay – anywhere on the phony pretext of combating terrorism America supports, or nonexistent threats from nations like Russia, Iran and North Korea.

America and its rogue allies pose the only legitimate threat to humanity.

Stephen Lendman is a Chicago-based  independent journalist.