Mattis and the Revolving Door

by David Isenberg In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower nominated former General Motors president Charles Erwin Wilson as secretary of defense. That sparked a controversy during his confirmation hearings based on his large stockholdings in General Motors. Reluctant to sell the… Continue Reading →

“Nation-Building” Is Back: Now with Contractors

by Tim Shorrock Last month, President-elect Donald Trump told The New York Times that the United States under his watch will not “be a nation builder.” It was a variation on a comment he had made dozens of times during… Continue Reading →

“Mad Dog” Mattis: Trump’s Least Belligerent Foreign Policy Advisor?

by Derek Davison During a surreal, post-election “campaign rally” in Cincinnati on Thursday night, President-elect Donald Trump announced (or, to be completely accurate, announced that he would be announcing) that he’s selected retired Marine General James “Mad Dog” Mattis as… Continue Reading →

Africa: A Goldmine for Security Contractors

by David Isenberg In recent years, U.S. military operations in Africa have greatly expanded. Washington has established forward operating locations (FOL) and drone bases. It has helped various African countries, like Liberia, retrain their militaries. It has tried to track… Continue Reading →

Donald Trump and the Swamp of War

by Andrew J. Bacevich President-elect Donald Trump’s message for the nation’s senior military leadership is ambiguously unambiguous. Here is he on 60 Minutes just days after winning the election. Trump: “We have some great generals. We have great generals.” Lesley… Continue Reading →