Essays by Elliot Ackerman | Politics, War, Culture & Literature

Ukrainian soldiers in full combat gear move tactically through a damaged urban street during active operations.

Ukraine’s Three-to-One Advantage

Reporting from Ukraine, Elliot Ackerman explores the battlefield realities behind Ukraine’s early successes against Russia. Through conversations with a former U.S. Marine volunteer and Ukrainian defense leaders, he examines anti-armor...

A French Air and Space Force Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jet flies in clear skies carrying external fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles, illustrating modern NATO air power and advanced Western combat aviation.

NATO Pilots for Ukraine?

Drawing on military history, Elliot Ackerman examines how volunteer NATO pilots could reinforce Ukraine's air force, comparing the proposal to the Flying Tigers and Eagle Squadrons while exploring alternatives to...

Afghan civilians carrying luggage and personal belongings line up on the tarmac to board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft during the evacuation from Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021.

The Last Person Who Believes in Intervention

In this essay for TIME, Elliot Ackerman examines Bernard-Henri Lévy's documentary The Will to See and explores the tension between internationalism and isolationism. Against the backdrop of Ukraine, Afghanistan, China,...

Diptych of American service members photographed in Afghanistan by Adam Ferguson.

Ask Us What We’ve Seen

In this Atlantic photo essay, Elliot Ackerman examines Adam Ferguson’s striking portraits of American service members in Afghanistan. Through conversations with veterans and reflections on his own military experience, Ackerman...

Wooden silhouette of a soldier holding a rifle, standing alone against a plain background.

The Plywood Army

In this Atlantic essay, Elliot Ackerman reflects on the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military after the U.S. withdrawal. Drawing on his experience as a Marine officer and adviser to Afghan...

Crowd of protesters gathered outside a large government building doorway during the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

When the Military Doubts Our Elections

In this New York Times opinion essay, Elliot Ackerman explores the relationship between election legitimacy, political polarization, and the military's long tradition of remaining apolitical. Drawing on his experience as...

U.S. and Afghan personnel meeting with local Afghan village elders during a security discussion in rural Afghanistan amid the U.S. war effort

The Moral Catastrophe in Afghanistan

Elliot Ackerman examines the moral and strategic consequences of abandoning Afghan interpreters during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Stylized editorial graphic showing rows of uniformed U.S. military personnel on the left, a military service ribbon in the center, and a crowd gathered at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 attack on the right.

Yes, They Defended the Capitol

In this New York Times opinion essay, Elliot Ackerman reflects on military decorations, his experiences during Hurricane Katrina, and the deployment of National Guard troops following January 6. He argues...

Broken window with shattered glass overlooking a street in Afghanistan.

America and Afghanistan’s Cynicism

In this Atlantic essay, Elliot Ackerman examines the role cynicism played in America’s relationship with Afghanistan. Drawing on his experiences as a Marine officer and father, he reflects on war,...

Armed Taliban fighters wearing desert camouflage uniforms and face coverings stand in a rural Afghan landscape with mountains in the background.

Afghanistan War Ends as It Began

In this New York Times opinion essay, Elliot Ackerman examines America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan through the lens of military history, personal experience, and conversations with Afghan leaders. Drawing parallels to...

Scene from the film Cherry showing a young military veteran portrayed by Tom Holland

My Veteran Problem

In this New York Times essay, Elliot Ackerman examines his instinct to defend the image of American veterans after the Capitol riot and the release of Cherry. Drawing on his...

Illustration combining a U.S. Army combat helmet with scenes from the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, showing rioters climbing the Capitol's west front above a crowd carrying American and Trump flags.

Why the Capitol Riot Reminded Me of War

In this New York Times opinion essay, Elliot Ackerman draws on his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan to explain why footage of the January 6 Capitol attack felt hauntingly familiar....

U.S. Army soldiers prepare to board a military aircraft during a nighttime deployment from an airfield, illuminated by red aircraft lighting and floodlights.

The Afghan War Is Over. Did Anyone Notice?

In this opinion essay for The New York Times, Elliot Ackerman argues that America must rethink what it means for the war in Afghanistan to be over. Drawing on the...

President Joe Biden addresses a large audience of U.S. Army soldiers gathered beneath a giant American flag during a military event, with service members standing behind the podium.

My Fellow Veterans Reminded Me What This Election Was About

In this New York Times opinion essay, Elliot Ackerman draws on his experience as a Marine Corps veteran to examine leadership, service, and the 2020 election. Through conversations with fellow...

Illustrated collage representing America's political-industrial complex, featuring a red MAGA hat, Democratic and Republican party symbols

Can We Escape the Political-Industrial Complex?

In this New York Times opinion essay, Elliot Ackerman argues that America has become trapped in a self-perpetuating political-industrial complex that rewards division over solutions. Drawing on President Dwight D....

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