Eugene Jarecki discussed his book The American Way of War Guided Missiles, Misguided Men, and a Republic in Peril.  Through both directing Why We Fight and writing his book, Jarecki became aware of both the depth and mechanics of a corruption that, he argued, pervades our political system.

Eisenhower warned against the “military-industrial complex” in his 1961 farewell address.  Jarecki said that America would have benefited more from the original draft of Eisenhower’s speech, which called this system the “military-industrial-congressional complex.”The active collusion of members of Congress within the system, he explained, creates a great weakness in our government.For example, “political engineering”--when various components of products such as the B-1 bomber and F-22 fighter are produced in many congressional districts--ensures that when Congress votes to fund said programs, many members are well invested in the approval of funding

Jarecki expressed some optimism for the incoming administration.  Robert Gates’ article “A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age” (Foreign Affairs, January/February 2009) calls for reshaping of the U.S. defense posture.  Jarecki argued that Gates indirectly spoke to the issue of the military-industrial complex.  Though Gates’ article might be too “blue-sky,” as Jarecki put it, it should be interesting to see whether Gates treats it as a blueprint for reform.

--Event Summary by Alexandra Kahan, Intern, American Strategy Program