Essays

Federal security officers with rifles secure the White House Correspondents' Dinner ballroom at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, following a shooting incident near the event attended by journalists, government officials, and members of the media.

Inside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

When gunshots rang out near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Elliot Ackerman and his wife took cover beneath their table. What followed revealed just how exposed thousands of attendees had...

U.S. military service members seated in uniform during a public event, illustrating themes of military ethics, lawful orders, international law, and the responsibilities of troops during armed conflict.

Is Trump Asking Troops to Commit War Crimes?

Drawing on his experience as a Marine officer in Iraq, Elliot Ackerman explores whether threats to target civilian infrastructure in Iran could force service members to confront difficult legal and...

Crowds gather amid smoke and Iranian flags during a nighttime protest in Iran, illustrating themes of regime change, political unrest, and instability discussed in Elliot Ackerman's essay The Case Against the War.

The Case Against the War

Drawing on his experience as a Marine officer in Iraq, Elliot Ackerman examines the risks of regime change in Iran, the limits of military power, and the political consequences that...