Stories by William Astore

William J. Astore, a retired lieutenant colonel (USAF), now teaches at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. His books and articles focus primarily on military history and include Hindenburg: Icon of German Militarism (Potomac Press, 2005). He may be reached at wastore@pct.edu.

Petraeus Was a Disaster: Enough with Glorifying Failed Military Generals

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: Tom Dispatch

Generals run amuck, politicians who could care less and an embedded media are not a good formula for accountability.

Why Obama and Romney Will Compete to be Cheerleaders for U.S. Imperial Dominance

Posted on: May 15, 2012, Source: TomDispatch.com

Clearly, come November, whoever wins or loses, the national security state will be the true victor in the presidential sweepstakes.

America Has Become the World's Arms Dealer -- But at What Cost to Ourselves and the World?

Posted on: Jan 24, 2012, Source: TomDispatch.com

Last year saw the U.S. on pace to deliver more than $46 billion in foreign arms sales. Who says America isn’t number one anymore?

The Destructiveness of Remote U.S Wars

Posted on: Dec 8, 2011, Source: TomDispatch.com

Here’s an American fact: the 99% are far too remote from our wars of choice and those who fight them. To reclaim the latter, we must end the former.

The Militarization of America: How the Military Mindset Is Permeating Our Political Culture and Society

Posted on: Jun 14, 2011, Source: TomDispatch.com

Our president and elected representatives must serve as a check on the military establishment, rather than issuing blank checks to them.

How America Is Like 18th Century Europe: Our Imperialistic Attitude Has Led to Endless Wars

Posted on: May 12, 2011, Source: TomDispatch.com

Our wars are eerily like those pursued by European monarchs: carried out by professional militaries and mercenaries for the purposes of protecting the interests of a ruling elite.

Heartbreaking Stories: It's Time to Listen to the Powerful Voices of our Soldiers

Posted on: Feb 20, 2011, Source: TomDispatch.com

Some things are worth fighting and dying for, others aren’t. It’s time for us to do a far better job of figuring out the difference.

Are We a Kleptocracy and What Does That Mean Anyway?

Posted on: Sep 1, 2010, Source: Counterpunch and Tomdispatch.com

Two articles consider what the real economic patterns we face are, and whether the big process we're undergoing is basically just a massive transfer of wealth.

Fighting Wars Won't Make You a Hero

Posted on: Jul 22, 2010, Source: TomDispatch.com

A snappy uniform or even intense combat in far-off countries don't magically transform troops into heroes.

7 Reasons We're Always at War -- and 7 Ways to Quit

Posted on: Jul 12, 2010, Source: YES! Magazine

How to cap the gusher of war funding and rhetoric.

Why Can't We Just Leave Afghanistan? Like Addicted Gamblers, the U.S. Keeps Doubling Down

Posted on: Jun 3, 2010, Source: TomDispatch.com

Tell me: Is the fight truly worth it? Is Afghanistan really the place for us to go “all-in,” whatever the cost to our military, our economy, even our way of life?