Why Aren’t We Evacuating Americans From Sudan?
In this essay for The Atlantic, Elliot Ackerman argues that the United States is departing from a long-standing tradition of evacuating American civilians trapped in conflict zones. Drawing on his...
More Weapons, Faster for Ukraine
In this TIME essay, Elliot Ackerman examines how battlefield initiative depends on timing as much as firepower. Drawing on military strategy and the evolving war in Ukraine, he argues that...
The Arsenal of Democracy Is Reopening for Business
In this essay for The Atlantic, Elliot Ackerman visits Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Arkansas to examine how America’s defense-industrial base is responding to the demands of the war in Ukraine....
The Two Stalingrads
Elliot Ackerman explores how the legacy of Stalingrad belongs to both Russia and Ukraine, drawing on the work of Soviet war correspondent Vasily Grossman to examine history, identity, and the...
Ukraine's Winter Offensive Could Decide the War
In this TIME essay, Elliot Ackerman argues that time is a decisive battlefield dimension in Ukraine's war against Russia. Drawing on military experience and historical parallels, he explains why sustained...
The Next Afghan-Refugee Crisis Is Right Here in the U.S.
In this Atlantic essay, Elliot Ackerman warns that thousands of Afghan allies evacuated during the 2021 withdrawal could face deportation without congressional action. He explores the Afghan Adjustment Act, America’s...
World War III?
In this thought-provoking analysis, Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis explore four plausible scenarios that could lead to a third world war. From Russia and China to Iran, North Korea,...
Victory Brings Its Own Dangers
As Ukrainian forces reclaim territory from Russia, optimism grows about the war’s outcome. In this Atlantic essay, Elliot Ackerman explores a less discussed reality: victory can be as dangerous as...
The Rivalry That Defines America
Elliot Ackerman examines how lessons from Afghanistan continue to shape the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and Russia in Ukraine.
The Arsenal of Democracy Reopens
In this Atlantic essay, Elliot Ackerman explores how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine revealed a critical weakness in America’s national defense: its fragile supply chains. From semiconductor production and advanced manufacturing...
Our Narrative of Mass Shootings Is Killing Us
In the aftermath of Uvalde, Elliot Ackerman explores the role of storytelling, media coverage, and cultural narratives in shaping the phenomenon of mass shootings. Drawing on history, psychology, and lessons...
A Whole Age of Warfare Sank With the Moskva
After Ukraine sank Russia’s flagship Moskva with anti-ship missiles, Elliot Ackerman examines whether modern warfare has entered a new age. Through the lens of Marine Corps Force Design 2030, he...
Ukraine’s Lifeline
In this essay for The Atlantic, Elliot Ackerman argues that Ukraine’s survival depends not only on weapons but on the logistics required to keep soldiers supplied and combat power sustained....
The Rhino of Kyiv
In this essay for The Atlantic, Elliot Ackerman meets acclaimed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, whose film Rhino is touring international festivals while he serves in Ukraine’s territorial-defense forces. Through conversations...
Ukrainians Don't Blame Just Putin
Reporting from Lviv during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Elliot Ackerman examines how Ukrainian civilians, historians, entrepreneurs, and activists view Russian responsibility for the war. Through firsthand conversations, the essay explores...