Andrew Bacevich's Email & Phone Number

📖 Summary

Andrew Bacevich is an American historian best known for his insightful analysis of American foreign policy and military affairs. Born in Normal, Illinois in 1947 and educated at West Point, Bacevich served in the U.S. Army for 23 years before retiring as a colonel. Following his military career, he earned a Ph.D. in American diplomatic history from Princeton University and embarked on a distinguished career in academia.

Bacevich first gained widespread attention with his 2002 book, "American Empire: The Realities and Consequences of U.S. Diplomacy," in which he critiqued the expansionist, interventionist foreign policy pursued by the United States in the post-Cold War era. Drawing on his experience as a military officer and his expertise in diplomatic history, Bacevich argued that the United States had become a global empire, using its military superiority to pursue its own interests at the expense of other nations and the well-being of its own citizens. The book was widely praised for its incisive analysis and thoughtful critique of American foreign policy.

In subsequent works, Bacevich continued to explore the themes of American militarism and interventionism. His 2005 book, "The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War," examined the cultural and political forces that had created a society in which the military occupied a central place in national life. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including popular culture, political rhetoric, and historical analysis, Bacevich argued that the United States had become a "military-industrial complex" in which war and the preparation for war had become normalized and even celebrated.

Bacevich's analysis has been informed by his own experiences as a soldier and a citizen. His son, Andrew Jr., was killed in action while serving in Iraq in 2007, an event that deeply affected Bacevich and reinforced his commitment to critiquing American militarism and interventionism. The personal tragedy also informed his 2013 book, "Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country," which examined the gap between America's veneration of its military and the government's failure to adequately care for veterans and their families.

In addition to his work as a historian, Bacevich has been a prominent public intellectual and commentator. He has been a frequent contributor to publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Nation, and has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs to offer his insightful analysis of world events. In a political climate marked by partisanship and polarization, Bacevich's voice has stood out for its clarity, rigor, and independence.

In recent years, Bacevich has continued to focus on American foreign policy, military affairs, and the role of the military in American society. His most recent book, "The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory," offers a scathing critique of the post-Cold War era, arguing that the United States has squandered the opportunities presented by the collapse of the Soviet Union and has instead pursued a reckless and unsustainable course of militarism, interventionism, and global dominance.

Bacevich's work has been widely influential, both within the academy and in the broader public sphere. His careful scholarship, incisive analysis, and passionate commitment to the principles of justice and peace have made him a vital voice in the ongoing debate about America's role in the world. With his deep expertise, moral clarity, and unflinching courage, Andrew Bacevich has emerged as one of the most important public intellectuals of our time.