Washington’s America-First Commandos in Africa

By Nick Turse / TomDispatch Dec 21, 2016 A document from U.S. Special Operations Command Africa shows that military support to partner nations in Africa is prioritized to suit American, not African, needs and policy goals. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

‘The Field of Fight’

By Carlos Lozada Dec 2, 2016 Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who is set to become Trump's national security adviser, writes in his new book, "[Religious war] created our world. The world badly needs an Islamic Reformation, and we should not be surprised if violence is involved. It's normal." Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Rebirth of a Nation?

By Nick Turse / TomDispatch Nov 16, 2016 There’s good reason to assume Donald Trump will be a Clintonesque hawk or even worse, but there is also reason to believe—due to his propensity for lies, bluster and backing down—that he could turn out to be less bellicose. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

With President Trump, Is the American Experiment Over?

By Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch Nov 14, 2016 The empire of chaos has made the trip homeward. It’s now with us big time, all the time. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

With Obama’s Help, Commander in Chief Trump Will Wield Abundant Military and Surveillance Power

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Nov 12, 2016 An unaccountable drone program, an FBI with a record of spying on mosques and activists, and a surveillance empire are among the powers currently held in check with restraints as durable as tissue paper. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

How the American Political System Changed and No One Noticed

By Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch Nov 4, 2016 Whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump is elected president, one thing is obvious: The vast edifice that is the national security state, with its 17 intelligence agencies and enormous imperial military, will continue to elaborate itself and expand its power in our American world. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

The Billionaire Oligarchs Don’t Give Out Bread Anymore, but They Gleefully Supply Circuses

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 17, 2016 The phrase "bread and circuses," coined by a Roman satirist who said the commoners had to be provided food to prevent their rioting and public spectacles to distract them from Augustus' tyranny, rings true today—with a key difference. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Unipolar No More: American Power at the Crossroads

By Dilip Hiro / TomDispatch Oct 12, 2016 Moscow’s frustration of Washington’s agenda to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad, and China's plan to link numerous Asian and European countries in a vast transportation and pipeline network, represent a growing international challenge to and curtailment of U.S. power. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

War, Peace and Absurdity

By Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch Sep 24, 2016 Nukes, bombs and a well-oiled machinery of privatized war -- here are a few recent examples from the world of American-style war and peace that make me want to shout, “You must be kidding!”Nukes, bombs and a well-oiled machinery of privatized war—here are a few recent examples from the world of American-style war and peace that make me want to shout, “You must be kidding!” Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

Bolivia Opens ‘Anti-Imperialist’ Military Academy to Counter U.S. Influence in Latin America

Staff / Truthdig Aug 18, 2016 “If the empire teaches domination of the world from its military schools, we will learn from this school to free ourselves from imperial oppression,” President Evo Morales said at the center's inauguration. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Where Did the American Century Go?

By Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch Jul 9, 2016 If huge swaths of the world have begun to disintegrate in an era when minority insurgencies and terror outfits are the worst opponents the U.S. faces, consider what chaos could come to regions where a potentially hostile power remains. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

Poof! It’s Forgotten: The Snapchat Version of American Victory

By Peter Van Buren / TomDispatch May 16, 2016 I hope you'll forgive me if I suggest that the Iraq-Syria War against Islamic State is being conveyed to us via Snapchat Important things happen, they appear in front of us, and then POOF! They're gone. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )