Cold War

In the last two weeks, escalating hostilities brought the United States to the brink of yet another conflict in the Middle East—this time with Iran. But such a conflict might not look much like the others that American forces have fought in the 21st century. …

Key point: The submarine proved that nuclear propulsion was safe and efficient, paving the way for an all-nuclear U.S. Navy submarine fleet. In 1948, the U.S. Navy established a Nuclear Power Branch, kicking off a revolution in ship propulsion. The departmen…

Key point: For the time being, the MLRS still provides an effective rocket system for U.S. armored units.On February 24, 1991, the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm began. Over the next four days, the soldiers of an international coalition, formed to eject the Iraqi army of Saddam Hussein from the…

Motherboard on Thursday revealed that a secretive U.S. government vendor whose surveillance products are not publicly advertised has been marketing hidden cameras disguised as seemingly ordinary objectsvacuum cleaners, tree stumps, and tombstonesto the Federa…

Beyond the Wall: From Post-Cold War Optimism to Populism

Photo credit: CAPT. ROBYN HAAKE - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics Anonymous text messages claiming the receiver has been drafted into the U.S. Army are popping up on cell phones across America. The Army has disavowed the messages, clai…

The US Air Force is sending six B-52 Stratofortress bombers to Diego Garcia, a military hub that acts as a strategic location for operations in both the Middle East and the Pacific. Citing a US official, CNN on Monday reported that the Cold War-era bomber wi…

Titan Missile base Amy Heiden Arizona is apparently the place to be if you're in the market for an underground lair. Last month, a Titan II Missile complex that was decommissioned in the 1980s lasted only ten days on the market before it was bought above a…

Key point: The Tomahawk is still a Cold War subsonic cruise missile that seems a bit of a dinosaur when compared to the supersonic and hypersonic weapons that are being developed today. Heres a tip: if you dont want the enemy to capture your weapons, then do…

The book spans events including the Spanish Civil War and the collapse of the Berlin Wall.During the Cold War, authors walked a tightrope between the competing ideas of capitalism and communism. If they offended those in power, they could face possible exile …