“What Should It Look Like?” Part VI: Special Operations Forces

Oh boy here I go ranting again. Fair warning, this is a dense one. For real. But that’s because this is one I’ve wanted to cover for a long time and have a lot of thoughts about. A lot. Yes my guys, gals, and non-binary pals, we’re finally talking about the United States’ Special OperationsContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part VI: Special Operations Forces”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part V: The Air Force

Greetings, folks. We return once more to my “What Should It Look Like” series and oh boy, it’s time to go Up into the Wild Blue Yonder with the United States Air Force. Air power is one of the most important aspects of modern warfare. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that, inContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part V: The Air Force”

“If You Build It, They Will Come”: Military Recruitment in a Better Future

If there’s one thing I’m constantly hearing people in my field go on about – whether they directly work for the national security establishment or on its peripheries – it’s some variation on “manpower.” More specifically within the overall issue of manpower, they’re talking about the issue of recruitment and retention in the U.S. ArmedContinue reading ““If You Build It, They Will Come”: Military Recruitment in a Better Future”

Geopolitics: The Reason Why Your Tummy Hurts

I feel like every time I rejoin you all with one of these essays I have to go “boy, a lot of history sure happened in the last month” and this time it’s no exception. I’m going to spare you the line-item state of the world summary, however, and I’m gonna try and get straightContinue reading “Geopolitics: The Reason Why Your Tummy Hurts”

When Domestic Politics Become a National Security Concern

I hope for a lot of things these days. I hope for better things for myself, for my friends and family and loved ones, for people all over the world at large. But more than anything, I really just wish we could stop having history for just a day or two. Like, fucking really. CanContinue reading “When Domestic Politics Become a National Security Concern”

The Issue of “Negative American Exceptionalism”

I like to think I’ve been pretty consistent in drilling down my core beliefs in these essays since I started posting them almost a year ago. One of those central points I return to often is that war – while terrible – is sometimes unavoidable or even necessary. While I think I’ve had some modestContinue reading “The Issue of “Negative American Exceptionalism””

Counterinsurgency: The Impossible War?

The time has finally come, apparently. After almost twenty years of  turning many purported corners towards victory, the United States and its allies have decided to withdraw their combined military forces from Afghanistan. President Joe Biden announced this move on April 14th, 2021, with the intent of completing the withdrawal by September 11th, 2021 (aContinue reading “Counterinsurgency: The Impossible War?”