The Fight Over Trump's July 4 Parade
Elliot Ackerman examines the debate surrounding President Trump's 2019 Fourth of July "Salute to America," arguing that America's strength lies not in unanimity, but in its long tradition of spirited...
Essays
TIME
A Turkish Film About Fear and Power
Elliot Ackerman reflects on the award-winning Turkish film Ivy (Sarmaşık), drawing parallels between its portrayal of fear and authoritarian leadership and the political climates of Turkey and the United States.
What Real War With ISIS Would Mean
In the aftermath of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, Elliot Ackerman reflects on the costs of war, the challenge posed by ISIS's territorial ambitions, and what a true military campaign...
Safety Is Relative
After the deadliest terrorist attack in modern Turkish history, Elliot Ackerman examines how societies perceive risk, why violence shapes our sense of security, and the illusion of absolute safety in...
Draft the Rich
Drawing on personal experience and the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Elliot Ackerman proposes a provocative idea: a limited draft of America's wealthiest citizens to reconnect the nation with...