William Astore

William Astore is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and history professor who blogs at Bracing Views.

Uniting Against the American War Machine

Uniting Against the American War Machine Uniting Against the American War Machine

Twenty years and trillions of dollars later, the US counterinsurgency in Afghanistan failed—so when will we stop rewarding the military-industrial complex?

Sep 22, 2021 / William Astore

We Need to Scale Back America’s War Machine

We Need to Scale Back America’s War Machine We Need to Scale Back America’s War Machine

Sixty years after Eisenhower warned the nation against the threat of the military-industrial complex, America continues to maintain a bloated, imperialistic military presence at ho...

Jul 30, 2021 / William Astore

air show

American Wars Mean American Lies American Wars Mean American Lies

We need a truth commission to hold leaders—military and civilian—accountable for America’s failed wars. 

Jun 18, 2021 / William Astore

Titan II

The Cold War Is Being Rebooted and Rebranded The Cold War Is Being Rebooted and Rebranded

Iran as a perfidious enemy? Check. Russia and China as autocratic menaces? Check. An unpredictable North Korea? Check. It’s happening all over again.

Apr 9, 2021 / William Astore

CT National Guard

Cancel the US Military Cancel the US Military

The Pentagon is running a system that seems to eternally reward failure, from poorly performing generals to endless wars that cost a fortune.

Mar 6, 2021 / William Astore

The 10 Steps Biden Can Take to Promote Peace

The 10 Steps Biden Can Take to Promote Peace The 10 Steps Biden Can Take to Promote Peace

Biden wants America to lead “by the power of our example.” Here’s how he can start.

Feb 2, 2021 / William Astore

F-35 Lightning II

POW Nation POW Nation

When will America free itself from war?

Jan 14, 2021 / William Astore

Fighting and Writing Against America’s Forever Wars

Fighting and Writing Against America’s Forever Wars Fighting and Writing Against America’s Forever Wars

Veterans and journalists Danny Sjursen and William Astore discuss the roots of and resistance to our endless wars.

Dec 9, 2020 / William Astore and Danny Sjursen

We Could Use a Leader Like George McGovern Again

We Could Use a Leader Like George McGovern Again We Could Use a Leader Like George McGovern Again

It’s long past time to reclaim American idealism and take a stand for less war and more help for the most vulnerable among us, including the very planet itself.

Nov 10, 2020 / William Astore

Idaho National Guard

Our Military Is the Virus Our Military Is the Virus

It’s time to defund the military-industrial complex and the police, and to rethink how to deal with conflict without turning every response into an endless war.

Jul 28, 2020 / William Astore

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