Articles of interest, Jan. 2, 2019

Filed under:
The Collapse of the ‘War on Terror’ Paradigm
By Juan Cole, Informed Comment blog, posted January 2, 2019.  The author teaches Middle East history at the University of Michigan.
C.I.A.’s Afghan Forces Leave a Trail of Abuse and Anger
By Mujib Mashal, New York Times, posted December 31, 2018.  A detailed account of one aspect of the longest U.S. war.
On Boys, Frogs, and the Weekly Standard
By Jim Lobe, LobeLog, posted December 31.  On the now-defunct conservative journal’s consistent support for aggressive U.S. overseas policies.
Why Trump Reigns as King Cyrus
By Katherine Stewart, New York Times, posted December 31.  This article article argues that a biblical/historical analogy with the first emperor of Persia sheds light on the appeal of the non-religious Donald Trump to right-wing evangelicals.
United States: First in War, Trailing in Modern Civilization
By Lawrence S. Wittner, LA Progressive, posted December 29.  The author is a professor emeritus of history at SUN Y Albany.
When ‘Trashing Our Allies’ Was All the Rage
By Andrew J. Bacevich, The American Conservative, posted December 28.  “The same neocons who gush about alliances today were telling anyone not on board with the Iraq invasion to ‘go to hell.’”  The author is a professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University.
Trump vs Mattis: Watch Out When Men of War Come to the Rescue
By Robert Fisk, The Independent, posted December 27.  A critical view of Secretary Mattis’s policies, with analogies to generals in other nations who have exercised political power.
Fleeing a Hell the US Helped Create: Why Central Americans Journey North
By Julian Borger, The Guardian, posted December 21.  A country-by-country rundown by The Guardian‘s world affairs editor.
A Torrent of Ghastly Revelations: What Military Service Taught Me about America
By Lyle Jeremy Rubin, The Guardian, posted December 18.  An eloquent and detailed personal account of basic training and of service in Afghanistan.

 

Thanks to John Marciano and an anonymous reader for suggesting articles included in the above list. Suggestions can be sent to jimobrien48@gmail.com <jimobrien48@gmail.com>.