The hottest Militarism Substack posts right now

Western governments, especially the United States, act as imperial aggressors whose wars and policies cause widespread death and suffering around the world.
Many people cling to a comforting story that they are the good guys, but propaganda and self-deception hide the calculated motives of power and profit behind that fiction.
Recognizing this truth creates a responsibility to wake up, resist, and work to dismantle the empire for the sake of future generations and those harmed by its violence.

Before Diocletian, Christians in Rome mostly lived without fear of government attack. They experienced a time called 'the little peace of the Church.'
Diocletian's edicts led to a serious crackdown on Christians, starting with public office removals and destroying churches. He aimed to get rid of Christianity but ended up fueling more violence.
The actions of a soldier named Marcellus sparked significant persecution, but many historians think it was part of a larger struggle between old Roman beliefs and the growing Christian faith.

The current US-led capitalist order keeps producing worsening abuses like growing authoritarianism, militarized policing, expanding wars, rising inequality, and ecological collapse.
Electoral politics alone can't fix this because the system is locked and swapping parties just replaces one set of abuses with another.
The only viable path to real change is mass popular action — people organizing together and using their numbers to force the powerful to stop.

The film 'Red Dawn' reflects the current guerrilla warfare being fought against the US in regions like Syria, Iraq, and Jordan.
The attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria are linked to tensions in the Middle East, especially the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
US military presence in Iraq and Syria is facing backlash from locals and even the countries they aim to defend, leading to calls for better protection for troops.

Attacking drug cartels with military force is not a solution and would make things worse.
Using military action in the drug war ignores underlying causes and would not address drug trade demand.
Support for reckless military interventions reveals a lack of consistent opposition in the Republican Party.

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Bolton's 'strategy' is just calling for more militarism without clear goals.
US already spends a lot on military, doubling that is unnecessary.
Increasing military spending can lead to arms races and make conflict more likely.

Michael Ledeen's journey shows how someone can start from a place of scholarly curiosity about fascism and end up using that knowledge to support harmful political ideologies. It's a reminder that understanding history can lead to different paths.
The blending of paleoconservatism and neoconservatism highlights how different factions can contribute to a broader trend of American fascism, emphasizing militarism and a disregard for civil liberties.
Ledeen's view of fascism as a potentially progressive force, if not for its Nazi association, reveals a dangerous romanticizing of ideologies that can lead to real-world consequences, emphasizing the need for careful historical interpretation.

Acknowledge the self-destructive nature of militarism and work to contain it.
Recognize the need for atonement for peace to prevail in relationships between nations.
Understand the emergence of a multipolar world, and the necessity for humility and clear-eyed leadership in international affairs.

Wars often have long-lasting effects that can lead to more conflict. Decisions made by governments can come back to haunt them, affecting many people.
Supporting certain groups in conflicts can backfire. For example, funding groups like Hamas can lead to more violence and problems later on.
Understanding the history of conflicts helps us see why they happen. Lessons from the past can guide better choices for peace in the future.

Western militaries are facing operational and recruitment challenges despite significant funding.
Military recruitment struggles are influenced by societal shifts towards individualism and lack of a coherent narrative for joining the military.
The management of defense budgets over programs has led to a loss of focus on actual defense capabilities in Western countries.