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.

Drone Warfare Is Neither Cheap, Nor Surgical, Nor Decisive

Posted on: Mar 24, 2013, Source: Tom Dispatch

Seductive and tenacious as the dreams of air supremacy continue to be, air power has not fundamentally softened the brutal face of war, nor has it made war less dirty or chaotic.

The Vietnam War Memorial in Vietnam Would Be 20 to 50 Times Larger Than Ours

Posted on: Jan 30, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Imagine if we could bridge the empathy gap that separates us from the Vietnamese and our war with them and against them.

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?