Arms Spending

A US Special Forces soldier at a remote village in the Arghandab District in Afghanistan

The Unseen Soldiers of America’s Privatized Wars The Unseen Soldiers of America’s Privatized Wars

There is probably no better evidence of how poorly the War on Terror demonstrated its stated goal of the rule of law than the little-noted use, and misuse, of security contractors.

May 16, 2023 / Andrea Mazzarino

A black-and-white photo with a mushroom-shaped explosion.

The Best Years of My Country Are Behind Me The Best Years of My Country Are Behind Me

Thirty years ago, I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye of a better future, a better America, a better world. It was not to be.

May 11, 2023 / William Astore

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning fighter jet is shown at the Singapore Airshow in 2014

The Military Industrial Complex Is More Powerful Than Ever The Military Industrial Complex Is More Powerful Than Ever

The current war machine isn’t your grandfather’s MIC, not by a country mile.

May 9, 2023 / William D. Hartung and Benjamin Freeman

The Nord Stream Explosions: New Revelations About Motive, Means, and Opportunity

The Nord Stream Explosions: New Revelations About Motive, Means, and Opportunity The Nord Stream Explosions: New Revelations About Motive, Means, and Opportunity

As new details emerge about the pipeline blasts, they also prompt questions: What did US intelligence know about the biggest whodunit of the century, when did they know it, and how...

May 5, 2023 / James Bamford

President Xi Jinping (center) and leaders of the Chinese Communist Party attend the opening of the National People’s Congress in 2021

The Consequences of Underestimating China The Consequences of Underestimating China

Every step Beijing takes to consolidate its control over Eurasia weakens Washington’s presence and erodes its once formidable global power.

May 3, 2023 / Alfred McCoy

A car sits in front of a burned apartment building and pile of rubble. A soldier stands in front of the car.

There Is No Winning in Modern Warfare There Is No Winning in Modern Warfare

The US military may have achieved just one success of any significance since 1945—despite becoming the best-funded institution in this country. 

May 2, 2023 / Tom Engelhardt

In the naughty chair: former Fox News host Tucker Carlson

No, You Absolutely Do Not Have to Hand It to Tucker Carlson No, You Absolutely Do Not Have to Hand It to Tucker Carlson

Contra some of his leftist stans, the ousted Fox News host was not actually anti-war or an economic populist.

Apr 28, 2023 / Jeet Heer

U.S. Air Force RC-135V River Joint reconnaissance aircraft

The Most Dangerous Game: How Shadow War Over Ukraine Nearly Triggered Nuclear Holocaust The Most Dangerous Game: How Shadow War Over Ukraine Nearly Triggered Nuclear Holocaust

Unnoticed among the trove of documents in the Pentagon leak is this account of how a miscommunication between a Russian pilot and his base came perilously close to starting World W...

Apr 27, 2023 / James Bamford

Hypersonic missile russia

Think the Pentagon Budget Is Too High Now? I’ve Got Bad News. Think the Pentagon Budget Is Too High Now? I’ve Got Bad News.

As today’s emerging technology gets converted into actual combat systems, future spending will only increase.

Apr 27, 2023 / Michael T. Klare

Outside Kyiv, Ukraine, locals stand atop and examine a destroyed Russian tank.

The Lasting Devastation of Global Atomic War The Lasting Devastation of Global Atomic War

The decision to send depleted-uranium shells to Ukraine will have a debilitating, radioactive impact that will linger in the country for years to come.

Apr 24, 2023 / Joshua Frank

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