Why American Efforts to Create Foreign Armies Fail Why American Efforts to Create Foreign Armies Fail
For a foreign occupying force to create a unified and effective army from a disunified and disaffected populace was (and remains) a fool’s errand.
Oct 14, 2014 / William J. Astore
The American Cult of Bombing The American Cult of Bombing
Why you should expect more bombs to be dropped everywhere.
Aug 19, 2014 / William J. Astore
Uncle Sam Doesn’t Want You—He Already Has You Uncle Sam Doesn’t Want You—He Already Has You
An Air Force veteran explains how we all got drafted into the American national security state.
Jun 12, 2014 / William J. Astore
Even When America’s Government Shuts Down, Our Wars Continue Even When America’s Government Shuts Down, Our Wars Continue
War! What is it good for? Profit and power.
Oct 21, 2013 / William J. Astore
Drone Warfare: Neither Cheap, nor Surgical, nor Decisive Drone Warfare: Neither Cheap, nor Surgical, nor Decisive
Since the dawn of air power, supporters have advanced fantasies that, again and again, have failed to pan out—while civilians die in often staggering numbers.
Mar 25, 2013 / William J. Astore
Generals Behaving Badly Generals Behaving Badly
Petraeus may have had the affair, but we're all responsible for the U.S' worshipful embrace of our military generals.
Nov 29, 2012 / William J. Astore
The National Security State Wins (Again) The National Security State Wins (Again)
Why the real victor in Campaign 2012 won’t be Obama or Romney.
May 15, 2012 / William J. Astore
Confessions of a Recovering Weapons Addict Confessions of a Recovering Weapons Addict
Weapons manufacturing in America is still going strong, even if the wisdom or morality of arms deals is rarely discussed.
Jan 24, 2012 / William J. Astore
Why America Can’t Keep Fighting 1 Percent Wars Why America Can’t Keep Fighting 1 Percent Wars
The United States’ current conflicts abroad are “1 percent wars”—remote, imperial wars of choice in which 99 percent of Americans have no stake.
Dec 8, 2011 / William J. Astore
American Militarism Is Not a Fairy Tale American Militarism Is Not a Fairy Tale
At the highest levels, what’s civilian and what’s military are increasingly difficult to tell apart as the two spheres blur and blend.
Jun 14, 2011 / William J. Astore