War Is the New Normal

By William J. Astore, TomDispatch Feb 2, 2015 Back in July 2010, I wrote an article for TomDispatch on the seven reasons why America can’t stop making war. More than four years later, with the war on terror still ongoing, with the mission eternally unaccomplished, here’s a fresh take on the top seven reasons why never-ending war is the new normal in America. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

The American System of Suffering, 1965-2014

By Nick Turse, TomDispatch Jan 9, 2013 For all the dissimilarities, botched analogies, and tortured comparisons, there has been one connecting thread in Washington’s foreign wars of the last half century that, in recent years at least, Americans have seldom found of the slightest interest: misery for local nationals. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Another Scandal Among Officers Who No Longer Win Wars

William Pfaff / Truthdig Nov 14, 2012 As a former serviceman, I have been long bemused by the proliferation of ribbons and other decorations on the chests of today's high-ranking army officers, now mired in scandal. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Age of Drones

William Pfaff / Truthdig May 30, 2012 Counterinsurgency is out. Drones, assassination teams, targeted killings and special forces are in. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

New Afghanistan Strategy Targets Insurgents

Staff / Truthdig Aug 1, 2010 With the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and (we hope) the waning of the notion of counterinsurgency, the U.S. is looking toward another Afghanistan strategy -- "counterterrorism" -- one that focuses on targeted killing of insurgents, rather than the whole "hearts and minds" thing. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

White House: No News (Yet) on Afghanistan Strategy

Staff / Truthdig Sep 21, 2009 Although the Obama administration was well aware of the fact that, by Monday morning, everyone and his cousin knew about Gen. Stanley McChrystal's warning about "mission failure" in Afghanistan, which the general had issued to the White House as part of a report that found its way into the clutches of Washington Post journalists, there will be no official call for more troops until an equally official request is submitted. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

McChrystal’s Report Could Change Obama’s Afghanistan Plan

Staff / Truthdig Sep 21, 2009 The situation has changed significantly since President Obama took office last winter and fixed his focus on Afghanistan, and these changes -- including a disputed Afghan presidential election and deadly spikes in insurgent violence -- may spell trouble for Obama's initial strategy in that country, according to an assessment issued by Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Updated Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )