U.S. Military

List of U.S. Military articles

Two camel-colored Abrams tanks move across a sandy landscape beneath a cloudy sky.
Two camel-colored Abrams tanks move across a sandy landscape beneath a cloudy sky.

Ukraine Is Getting Its Abrams—but Not What It Really Wants

U.S. military support for Kyiv continues, but political resistance means no long-range fire.

A plane full of British citizens and other personnel are evacuated from Kabul by the British Armed Forces on Aug. 21, 2021.
A plane full of British citizens and other personnel are evacuated from Kabul by the British Armed Forces on Aug. 21, 2021.

America’s Afghan Allies Are Still Desperate for Help

Tens of thousands of Afghans are stuck in immigration limbo—or still hiding under Taliban rule.

Lyndon B. Johnson is surrounded by soldiers in this black-and-white photo as he visits U.S. troops in Vietnam. Johnson smiles as he shakes hands with a service member wearing uniform. He is flanked by security officers in dark suits.
Lyndon B. Johnson is surrounded by soldiers in this black-and-white photo as he visits U.S. troops in Vietnam. Johnson smiles as he shakes hands with a service member wearing uniform. He is flanked by security officers in dark suits.

Why U.S. Presidents Really Go to War

As a new book shows, it’s not always about strategy.

An illustration shows overlapping cannons or missile barrels pointing in different directions coming out of a map of Taiwan. A U.S. flag is in a barrel on one side and a China flag in a barrel on the other.
An illustration shows overlapping cannons or missile barrels pointing in different directions coming out of a map of Taiwan. A U.S. flag is in a barrel on one side and a China flag in a barrel on the other.

Deterrence in Taiwan Is Failing

The United States has committed to keeping the peace but isn’t doing enough to stop the war.

A U.S. Navy sailor walks past an F/A-18F fighter jet on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in the port of Busan, South Korea, on March 28.
A U.S. Navy sailor walks past an F/A-18F fighter jet on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in the port of Busan, South Korea, on March 28.

U.S. Deterrence Against China Is Not Working

With U.S. military superiority in Asia no longer a given, defense planners need a different strategy.

A competitor dressed as a Spartan warrior takes part in the 2010 Tough Guy race in England, as fire rages in the background.
A competitor dressed as a Spartan warrior takes part in the 2010 Tough Guy race in England, as fire rages in the background.

Spartans Were Losers

The U.S. military’s admiration of a proto-fascist city-state is based on bad history.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greet at Alsalam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15, 2022.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greet at Alsalam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15, 2022.

America Is Pushing Its Security Ideas on a Lukewarm Middle East

Rare consensus in Washington is an opportunity the Gulf countries and Israel should not waste.

New Afghan Air Force pilots attend a class at the air force university in Kabul.
New Afghan Air Force pilots attend a class at the air force university in Kabul.

Former Afghan Pilots Remain Grounded, Hunted by Taliban

Afghanistan’s top guns have no easy path to a new life.

Reporters holding cell phones and microphones crowd around McCarthy inside the U.S. Capitol.
Reporters holding cell phones and microphones crowd around McCarthy inside the U.S. Capitol.

The Debt Ceiling Deal Highlights America’s Warped Priorities

By failing to invest in its own people, the United States shows the world the shakiness of the foundations of its power.

A U.S. Navy officer patrols the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship docked in Gdynia, Poland, on Sept. 17, 2022.
A U.S. Navy officer patrols the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship docked in Gdynia, Poland, on Sept. 17, 2022.

4 Ways U.S. Support for Ukraine Helps Defend Taiwan

From deterrence to military readiness, Ukraine aid is a major boost to Pacific security.

Police officers link arms with their back to the camera as they hold back a crowd of people protesting the U.S. military presence in Japan in front of the U.S. base in Camp Schwab in Okinawa. Protesters wearing hats hold signs that read "Marines Out," "No Base," and "Don't rape Okinawa."
Police officers link arms with their back to the camera as they hold back a crowd of people protesting the U.S. military presence in Japan in front of the U.S. base in Camp Schwab in Okinawa. Protesters wearing hats hold signs that read "Marines Out," "No Base," and "Don't rape Okinawa."

Why the U.S. Should Close Its Overseas Military Bases

A growing movement is pushing back against long-held orthodoxy, arguing that it’s time to abandon these outposts and bring the troops home.

U.S. National Guard members keep guard near the Capitol Building in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2021.
U.S. National Guard members keep guard near the Capitol Building in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2021.

The National Guard Does Top-Secret Things—and Far Too Many Other Things

The latest classified document leak highlights the overuse of military reserves.

Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington.
Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington.

Colin Kahl: ‘We’re All In’ on Supporting Ukraine

The Pentagon’s top policymaker on Kyiv’s forthcoming spring offensive, the impact of recent leaks, and the long-term challenge of China.

An illustration of a gamer in front of an espionage ey.
An illustration of a gamer in front of an espionage ey.

How Gamers Eclipsed Spies as an Intelligence Threat

The latest leak has profound implications for counterintelligence.

U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
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.

U.S. Marines walk past a toppled statue of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in Baghdad.
U.S. Marines walk past a toppled statue of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in Baghdad.
A conveyor belt carries chunks of cobalt in the Dominican Republic of the Congo.
A conveyor belt carries chunks of cobalt in the Dominican Republic of the Congo.
The Pentagon is seen in Arlington, Virginia, on March 8.
The Pentagon is seen in Arlington, Virginia, on March 8.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions in eastern Ukraine on June 15, 2022.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions in eastern Ukraine on June 15, 2022.

Arm Ukraine or Prepare for China? Wrong Question.

No matter the goal, Washington needs to quickly fill gaps in defense production.

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