Judging Freedom [SPECIAL] - LtCOL. (ret.) William J. Astore : US Is Failing and Flailing
Aug 12, 2025
Retired Lieutenant Colonel William J. Astore, a historian and critic of military excess, dives into the pressing challenges facing the U.S. He discusses the decline of moral authority in military actions and the ethical implications of prioritizing strength over ethics. Astore examines U.S.-Russia relations, emphasizing the risks of military escalation amidst ongoing conflicts. He also highlights the disconnect between public sentiment and governmental actions regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reflecting on the moral dilemmas of foreign policy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Belief To Disillusionment
- Astore recalls joining the military in 1985 believing the U.S. had moral authority during the Cold War.
- He contrasts that youthful belief with his current view that America no longer holds that authority.
U.S. Moral Authority Has Eroded
- William Astore says U.S. moral authority has declined since the Cold War and World War II eras.
- He cites U.S. arms exports and enabling of atrocities like Gaza as proof of lost moral standing.
Militarism Thrives Through Cultural Embrace
- Astore links enormous defense spending to a cultural embrace of the military-industrial complex.
- He warns that media, think tanks, and entertainment normalize militarism and blunt citizen scrutiny.