“[I found] myself engulfed in a dense gray fog of ash,” [Colonel Tim Geraghty] recalled, “with debris still raining down.” His logistics officer, Major Bob Melton, then motioned to Geraghty and gasped, “My God, the BLT [Battalion Landing Team] building is gone!” ‘Hours after the Sunday, Oct. 23, 1983, bombing of the Marine barracks in … Continue reading The Marines Barracks Bombing: Anatomy of an Attack
Author: Twilit Empire
Twilit Empire Editor’s Statement on Charlottesville: “Fascism is un-American”
My grandfathers fought their way across Europe and the Pacific to free the world from Nazis and their fascist Japanese Imperial allies. They earned campaign ribbons. One got a bronze star for gallantry in combat at Ipo Dam in the Phillipines. The other was a combat medic in Europe who fought in the Battle of … Continue reading Twilit Empire Editor’s Statement on Charlottesville: “Fascism is un-American”
The Importance of Joint-Partner Training Missions: Reflections from Overseas, 2017
In a world in which America seems to be receding from its previous role in global leadership, it is important to remember how dependent we are upon a network of strong global and regional allies for our own national security. Though these alliances are established and negotiated by diplomats and politicians, they are maintained by … Continue reading The Importance of Joint-Partner Training Missions: Reflections from Overseas, 2017
U.S. Cruise Missiles Strike Syrian Airbase: Our Immediate Reaction
Ever since approximately 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles detonated at the Shayrat airbase near Homs, a Syrian government installation that reportedly was the launch site for the chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun that has left at least 72 civilians (including large numbers of women and children) dead, the debate is back on about the United States' … Continue reading U.S. Cruise Missiles Strike Syrian Airbase: Our Immediate Reaction
A Particularly Cogent Response to Terrorism; We Would Do Well to Learn From It
In response to the terror attack in London on Thursday, March 23rd when a British citizen, Khalid Masood, drove an SUV through pedestrians on London Bridge and then rushed the gates of Parliament with a knife before being fatally shot by police, Prime Minister Theresa May made the following statement: "Mr Speaker, a lot has … Continue reading A Particularly Cogent Response to Terrorism; We Would Do Well to Learn From It
Kremlin Reaps What it Sows: Must Read from ForeignPolicy.com
It's been about two months since I've been able to publish a piece on here (mostly because things in foreign affairs keep changing at such a blistering pace), but I think it is so important to see how Russia's plan to help Trump during the election is playing out in real-time. 'The Kremlin is Starting to … Continue reading Kremlin Reaps What it Sows: Must Read from ForeignPolicy.com
The Recent Republican Thaw Towards Russia: An Analysis
The traditional Republican foreign policy position, all the way back to the end of WWII, has been to view Russia as America's main geopolitical competitor (or other variations of that thought, such as "foe," "threat," and "enemy"). The exact categorization is hazy, because that role has shifted meaningfully many times since 1945. Be that as it may, … Continue reading The Recent Republican Thaw Towards Russia: An Analysis
Mattis nominated for SecDef
Well, it goes without saying that part of me is extremely excited about the nomination of General Mattis for Secretary of Defense. As a Marine, and particularly as an infantryman, I can't help but feel proud that the finest officer to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor since Chesty Puller has been nominated to head the … Continue reading Mattis nominated for SecDef
Les Alyscamps: Reflections on an Extinct Empire
Many of you have asked me about the cover photo for this blog, and I think an explanation is owed, due to the abstractness of the photo and the reasons behind its selection. I picked it for a blend of personal, thematic and aesthetic reasons. In 2009, I was a student at the Institute for American Universities … Continue reading Les Alyscamps: Reflections on an Extinct Empire
Brexit: The Legacy of Empire and the Coming Fracture
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold" -W.B. Yeats, 'The Second Coming' Park Plaza Victoria, London: The sun set on the British Empire a long time ago, but the legacy of colonialism and imperialism appear to still be rocking the United Kingdom … Continue reading Brexit: The Legacy of Empire and the Coming Fracture
Twilit Empire 