War

History can Tell us about the Disease, but the Conflict is Responsible

As Trump seeks Defense Budget Increase, Pentagon Pork fattens Private Contractors to do Nothing

By William D. Hartung | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – Here’s a question for you: How do you spell boondoggle? The answer (in case you didn’t already know): P-e-n-t-a-g-o-n. Hawks on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. military routinely justify increases in the Defense Department’s already munificent budget by arguing that yet more money is […]

Afghanistan

What if we Gave Seven Wars and No Americans Noticed?

contributors

By Andrew J. Bacevich | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – Consider, if you will, these two indisputable facts. First, the United States is today more or less permanently engaged in hostilities in not one faraway place, but at least seven. Second, the vast majority of the American people could not care less. Nor can it be […]

Donald Trump

Was Ayatollah Khamenei right about Washington? Trump Reneges

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Trump appears likely to attempt to derail the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA]), next week. The deal curbs Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and prevents it from using the program to do more than create fuel for power plants. Trump will argue […]

journalism

Getting the Story: Combat Journalists and the Fixers they Depend On

contributors

By Nick Turse | (Tomdispatch.com) | – – We were already roaring down the road when the young man called to me over his shoulder. There was a woman seated between us on the motorbike and with the distance, his accent, the rushing air, and the engine noise, it took a moment for me to […]

Climate Change

Tweeting while the Planet Burns: Dystopia 2025

Juan Cole

From Afghanistan to Houston, US policy gone awry

Donald Trump

Trump blasts Iran for backing Syria, ignores Russia, Praises Saudis

Juan Cole

Accuses Iran of terrorism but lets Saudis skate

Donald Trump

Our failing Forever Wars and the End of Democracy

Juan Cole

Pentagon, Special Ops, Empire

Donald Trump

What are American Soldiers really still dying for in the Mideast?

contributors

By Danny Sjursen | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – I used to command soldiers. Over the years, lots of them actually. In Iraq, Colorado, Afghanistan, and Kansas. And I’m still fixated on a few of them like this one private first class (PFC) in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2011. All of 18, he was short, scrawny, […]