Andrew Carleen

Cognoscenti contributor

Andrew Carleen is a former public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy who lives in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Recently published

U.S. Army 3rd Division 3-7 Major Frank McClary (L) from Andrews, South Carolina, Cpt. Pat Sullivan (C) from Dumfries, Virginia and Captain John Whyte from Billerica, Mass. scout out the Iraqi side of the demilitarized zone March 19, 2003 from a position inside the Kuwaiti side of the DMZ in Northern Kuwait. (Scott Nelson/Getty Images)

Twenty years after the war in Iraq began, we have learned nothing

Absent some kind of cultural revolution in how average citizens relate to our military and to policymaking, I fear we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, writes...

In Yemen, our collective sin goes beyond indifference

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a sponsor of the Yemen War Powers Act, which would limit U.S. intelligence and logistical support of Saudi and coalition forces. Beyond the moral imperative, there...

How little we care for the families of those killed in our wars

We would prefer that slain service members' families be invisible, lest they remind us of the ugly truth of who and what we vote for, writes Andrew Carleen.

Patriotism isn't measured by a 1,776 foot flagpole

It's worth noting, writes U.S. Navy Veteran Andrew Carleen, that for the same price tag, the organizers could send every one of the 1.4 million veterans living in poverty a...

A Veteran Considers America's Moral Failure In Afghanistan — And His Own Culpability

Former U.S. Navy officer Andrew Carleen considers America's hasty departure from Afghanistan -- what he calls, "a betrayal of biblical proportions."

Ending The 'Forever War' In Afghanistan Is Only The First Step

The “forever war” is a bipartisan sin, writes Andrew Carleen. If we refuse to learn from this era of our history, then the lives and treasure expended will be truly...

No President Should Be Able To Wage The Power Of A Forever War

Congress should repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), writes Andrew Carleen. Let’s discard the absurd pretension that every threat to this country requires that the executive branch...

Cognoscenti

Mar 3, 2021

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is sworn in to testify before the House Intelligence Committee during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump. (Andrew Harnik, File/AP Photo)

Alexander Vindman Told The Truth. If Only More Republicans Were Willing To Do The Same

For as long as conservatives support this administration, writes Andrew Carleen, they forfeit the right to question anyone’s patriotism.

Cognoscenti

Jul 10, 2020

Boston Police emerge from the cloud of tear gas in the Boston Common to clear out protesters. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Trump Is Defying Everything I Learned About Military Ethics In The Armed Forces

It should surprise no one that the president lacks either knowledge or regard for this country’s founding principle that the military not be employed against Americans, writes Andrew Carleen.

Cognoscenti

Jun 3, 2020

President Trump delivers a statement about the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing U.S. troops, at the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Donald Trump Has Never Been More Powerful

In matters of war, Donald Trump is now the state, writes Andrew Carleen. The lives of American service members are subject to his whims.

Cognoscenti

Jan 9, 2020