American Gods

Over the past 76 years the United States has divided the world into six regional jurisdictions known as unified combatant commands. Decade by decade, these commands get more heavily armed, and their commanders wield more power, with a surprising lack of scrutiny. Today Rob & Ruairi provide that scrutiny.

US intentions can be good, but when you have a hammer every problem can look like a nail. The immense and growing power of these commands warps US diplomacy. As just one example, a surprising number of development problems in Africa now seem to be classified as terrorist insurgencies, that need coup-friendly militaries armed and trained by Africa Command (AFRICOM).

Some combatant commands, like European Command (EUCOM) & Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), provide vital defensive services to their regions. But do those US commands make war more likely just by being there? And after the US media's reaction to Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal, will any US forces ever leave any country ever again?

This episode surveys these questions, while providing an overview of the history and current deployments of Central Command (CENTCOM), which covers the Middle East and Central Asia. It turns out the US is not in fact withdrawing from the Middle East. Not at all.

Note: in addition to the six terrestrial commands there is one for space as well as four "functional" commands (special operations, cyber, and transportation). This episode's discussion is limited to the six regional commands.

Books Mentioned:

Andrew J. Bacevich - America's War for the Greater Middle East

Dana Priest - The Mission: Waging War and Keeping Peace With America's Military