The Military’s Dirty Little Secret

Tim Radford / Climate News Network Jun 26, 2019 The American armed forces pose a danger to human survival in many ways. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Pence to West Point Graduates: ‘A Virtual Certainty’ They’ll See Combat

The Associated Press May 25, 2019 The vice president warns of global danger and tells of support as he addresses the most diverse class to graduate the U.S. Military Academy. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

At Venezuelan Protest, Opposition’s Frustration Shows

CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA / The Associated Press May 4, 2019 Those who seek to oust President Nicolás Maduro have failed to persuade the country's armed forces to join their efforts. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Well-Regulated Militia in Trump’s Dangerous Hands

Rebecca Gordon / TomDispatch Feb 11, 2019 God help us if the president figures out the National Guard can legally be deployed for law enforcement purposes inside the U.S. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Just Say No to an Illegal War on Iran. The U.S. House Did.

Marjorie Cohn / Truthout Jun 6, 2018 If the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 also includes Rep. Keith Ellison's bipartisan amendment, Congress could send a clear message to Donald Trump. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

U.S. Soldiers Allegedly Plotted to Kill Obama, Overthrow the Government

Tracy Bloom / Truthdig Aug 28, 2012 Four members of the Army killed a former comrade and his teenaged girlfriend to keep secret the plans of the anarchist group they had formed, prosecutors in Georgia say. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘The Invisible War’ Brings Rape in the Military Into Focus

Staff / Truthdig Jan 26, 2012 Here's a brief but affecting glimpse of "The Invisible War," a new documentary, currently making its film festival debut at Sundance, exposing the insidious epidemic of sexual assault in the U.S. armed forces, or Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and what isn't being done about it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama Signals a Shift in U.S. Military Strategy

Staff / Truthdig Jan 5, 2012 On Thursday, President Obama dropped in at the Pentagon to outline some sizable changes he's making to America's defense strategy in this last year of his first elected term. His plans will no doubt lay him open to criticism on the campaign trail, but at least it seems to make room for the possibility of focusing funds on the home front. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Military Establishment Takes Three Whacks at Robert Gates

Staff / Truthdig Sep 8, 2011 Robert Gates, who left his role as defense secretary this summer, has drawn criticism from members of the military establishment for allegedly lacking long-term vision, allowing military leaders to usurp civilian control and inadequately briefing and preparing the president for war. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Is Struck Down

Staff / Truthdig Sep 10, 2010 “Don't ask, don't tell” is unconstitutional, a federal judge in California ruled late Thursday, striking down the military's 17-year-old homophobic compromise that allows gay participation in the armed forces as long as they shut up about their orientation and do not “engage in homosexual acts." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hitchens Pipes Up for ‘Foxhole Atheists’

Staff / Truthdig Dec 17, 2009 "God Is Not Great" author Christopher Hitchens got a feel for the evangelical climate at the Air Force Academy in May and came away with some troubling questions. In a column headlined "In Defense of Foxhole Atheists," he asks: "Is there a clique within the United States military that is seeking to use the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as an opportunity to mount a new crusade and to Christianize the 'heathen'?" Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Mutually Assured Defense Spending

Staff / Truthdig Mar 18, 2009 A hawkish speech by President Dmitry Medvedev may signal a massive overhaul and escalation of the Russian military. Fears of a growing threat posed by NATO have pushed Russian officials to plan a modernization of the country's conventional and nuclear forces by 2011. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )