Gordon Adams, American University School of International Service
President Trump is criticized for wreaking havoc on the international order, where the US was the established leader. But Trump is simply hastening a change that has been a long time coming.
Where to draw the line between loyalty to the nation and the struggle for equal rights? A scholar sees parallels between NFL protests and a call for African-Americans to ‘close ranks’ during WWI.
President Trump proposes to send the National Guard to protect the southern US border. Instead of searching for your old civics textbook, here’s a pocket history of the soldiers in the spotlight.
Compared to its foreign disaster missions, the US military mobilized slowly after Maria. But in numbers, capacity and logistics coordination, its work in Puerto Rico was on par with other aid efforts.
If humanitarian need can’t move the Trump administration to save Puerto Rico, then perhaps American self-interest will: The island is a crucial part of the country’s economic and military machinery.
Richard Lachmann, University at Albany, State University of New York
Is there honor in a losing battle? The US military faced this question in Vietnam. Its response would eventually change how the media covered war and how Americans perceive it.