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
Washington Court Culture and Its Endless Wars Washington Court Culture and Its Endless Wars
Our wars and their impact are kept in remarkable isolation from what passes for public affairs in this country, leaving most Americans with little knowledge and even less say about...
May 12, 2011 / William J. Astore
On Listening to Our Troops On Listening to Our Troops
“Support our troops” is an unconditional American mantra. We’re told to celebrate them as warrior-liberators, as heroes, as the finest fighters the world has eve...
Feb 22, 2011 / William J. Astore
Freedom Fighters for a Fading Empire Freedom Fighters for a Fading Empire
What it means when Obama says we have the world’s finest fighting force.
Jan 6, 2011 / William J. Astore
The New American Isolationism The New American Isolationism
The cost of turning away from war's horrific realities.
Nov 1, 2010 / William J. Astore
‘Our American Heroes’ ‘Our American Heroes’
Why it's wrong to equate military service with heroism.
Jul 22, 2010 / William J. Astore
Doubling Down in Afghanistan Doubling Down in Afghanistan
Is Washington a compulsive gambler, unwilling to fold a losing hand?
Jun 3, 2010 / William J. Astore
Obama at the Precipice Obama at the Precipice
Will Obama do any better at listening to critics of the Afghan War than Lyndon Johnson did on Vietnam?
Oct 13, 2009 / Feature / William J. Astore
Geeks and Hackers, Uncle Sam’s Cyber Force Wants You! Geeks and Hackers, Uncle Sam’s Cyber Force Wants You!
Part of the Air Force's new "above all" vision of full-spectrum dominance, America's emerging cyber force has control fantasies that would impress George Orwell.
Jun 5, 2008 / Feature / William J. Astore
Leaving Cheyenne Mountain Leaving Cheyenne Mountain
Post-cold war America is looking a lot like the former Soviet Union.
Apr 17, 2008 / Feature / William J. Astore