The Jim Crow Army in the Philippine-American War
Some African American soldiers of the conflict thought fighting against fellow people of color was unjust.
Iran in the Trump Era
President Trump's decision to order the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani has backfired in spectacular fashion. Why?
The Submerged History of the Submarine
Submarines played a major role in Word War I. But the first submersible was actually used, though unsuccessfully, in the Revolutionary War.
Who Were the Montford Point Marines?
The first African-American recruits in the Marine Corps trained at Montford Point, eventually ending the military’s longstanding policy of racial segregation.
Navy Seals: Why the Military Uses Marine Mammals
A beluga whale was suspected to be a spy. It's not as outlandish as it may seem.
How American Soldier Jessica Lynch Became a Symbol
Jessica Lynch was the first woman American POW to be successfully rescued. She became symbolic in ways that had little to do with the facts of her story.
National Security and the Rise of American Air Power
Intending to rein in spending, the 1947 National Security Act reorganized the military establishment.
Examining Trump’s Military Budget
The United States' calling card is its strong military. What role does military spending play in the federal budget? And is more always better?
How Trump’s Generals May Change Washington
President-elect Donald Trump formally named Marine ex-General James Mattis his nominee for Secretary of Defense, following his pick ...
The National Security Advisor: A Primer
Presidents have appointed National Security Advisors since 1953. Since the 1960s, they've become increasingly powerful within the Executive Branch.