Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

An Army chaplain’s reassuring theory about soldier suicides at Fort Carson, Co.

In Yochi Dreazen’s terrific new book, The Invisible Front, on how an Army general and his wife handled the loss of two sons — one to combat, the other to suicide — a chaplain offers the theory that Fort Carson, Colorado, was suffering so many suicides "because witches living in the surrounding mountains had cursed Fort Carson and the soldiers who live there."

cropped_ricks_middle_2379821263_a63fc2578b_o
cropped_ricks_middle_2379821263_a63fc2578b_o

Best Defense is in summer re-runs. This item originally appeared on October 7, 2014.

Best Defense is in summer re-runs. This item originally appeared on October 7, 2014.

In Yochi Dreazen’s terrific new book, The Invisible Front, on how an Army general and his wife handled the loss of two sons — one to combat, the other to suicide — a chaplain offers the theory that Fort Carson, Colorado, was suffering so many suicides “because witches living in the surrounding mountains had cursed Fort Carson and the soldiers who live there.”

Speaking of the book, you all are invited to come attend some of his book events. A good one is, hosted by CNAS, is at the Willard Hotel in D.C. on Oct. 9 at 5 pm.

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.