“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 IV: The Marines

Oh boy it’s time to talk about the Wet Soldiers. That’s right folks, as we return to the “What Should it Look Like?” series, it’s time to take aim at everyone’s favorite maritime themed crayon munchers: the United States Marine Corps. To make sense of the Marines as an institution, you firs have to understandContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part IV: The Marines”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part III: The Navy

Thought I forgot about this series, didn’t you? Well, I didn’t forget about it. But in case you hadn’t noticed, global events over the past few months had distracted me some. While the war in Ukraine is by no means over and we should still pay close attention to it, I think I at leastContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part III: The Navy”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part II: The Army

Prepare yourselves, people. I’m about to get very nerdily self-indulgent. That’s because this is the second entry in my “What Should it Look Like?” series where I, a self-professed democratic socialist defense analyst, put my mind to pondering how the U.S. military should look under a more just and equitable system (and also maybe toContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part II: The Army”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part I: The Big Picture

Everyone has their weird little hyper fixations or odd things that are soothing or enjoyable to think about but that make other people arch and eyebrow. For me, a big one of those is thinking about military structures and organization. That’s been the case for me thinking about things both in real life in regardContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part I: The Big Picture”

It Didn’t Have to Be Like This

So. Let’s talk about Afghanistan. It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since Kabul fell to the Taliban, bringing down with it what was left of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Like with so many other things from the past couple years, it simultaneously feels like that event occurred only yesterday and also yearsContinue reading “It Didn’t Have to Be Like This”

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?”

War: The Chronic Condition

If you don’t want to read this whole essay: tl;dr war isn’t going anywhere. I feel like I’ve already said this ad nauseum in the first few essays I’ve posted here – and rest assured, it is not going to be the last time I say it. But after thinking about both of those points,Continue reading “War: The Chronic Condition”