Editorial on U.S. militarism and accountability

A veteran columnist argues that civilian control and budget priorities must guide a country at risk of costly war and democratic erosion.

America Confronts Its Military Obsession

A retired U.S. Air Force officer argues that civilian control of the military should anchor U.S. policy. He recalls wartime missteps from Vietnam to Gaza and says America's moral authority has dimmed as leaders sell weapons and wage war with limited Congressional oversight.

He warns that a future conflict with China could be catastrophic and accuses the defense budget and weapons industry of driving decision making. He calls for impeaching a president who acts unlawfully, reasserting Congress's war declaration power, and a shift toward diplomacy and accountability.

The piece taps into a broad unease about militarism and the health of democracy. It treats foreign policy as a moral test linked to domestic priorities, arguing that endless war erodes trust in government. The author leverages historical references to highlight a pattern of missteps and asserts that civilian oversight should curb executive power.

It also critiques the defense-industrial complex, noting large profits at Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing and Northrop, and warns that a heavy emphasis on high-cost weapons could crowd out diplomacy and innovation. The piece imagines a multipolar world where escalation, not restraint, could threaten democracy and global stability.

Highlights

Citizens still hold the power to steer policy away from the brink.