Caught in the Net: U.S. Military

Soldier-bloggers have provided journalists, families, and the public firsthand, uncensored accounts of what’s happening in Iraq — until now. A new policy, handed down by U.S. commanders in April but only recently reported, requires service members in Iraq who blog to notify their chain of command, or face punishment. Under the policy, commanders must read ...

Soldier-bloggers have provided journalists, families, and the public firsthand, uncensored accounts of what's happening in Iraq -- until now. A new policy, handed down by U.S. commanders in April but only recently reported, requires service members in Iraq who blog to notify their chain of command, or face punishment. Under the policy, commanders must read subordinates' blogs. Some soldiers are going offline, rather than reveal their identity to higher-ups. Others say they'll break the rule. "I'm taking a risk," says one soldier, "but I [can't] be objective if the Army knows who I am."

Soldier-bloggers have provided journalists, families, and the public firsthand, uncensored accounts of what’s happening in Iraq — until now. A new policy, handed down by U.S. commanders in April but only recently reported, requires service members in Iraq who blog to notify their chain of command, or face punishment. Under the policy, commanders must read subordinates’ blogs. Some soldiers are going offline, rather than reveal their identity to higher-ups. Others say they’ll break the rule. "I’m taking a risk," says one soldier, "but I [can’t] be objective if the Army knows who I am."

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.