By Andrew Cockburn
Andrew Cockburn is a British-American journalist and author who has been covering national security and defense issues for over four decades. He was born in London in 1947 and moved to the United States in the 1970s. He has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Nation, and Harper’s Magazine. He has also authored several books on military and political topics, including The Threat: Inside the Soviet Military Machine, Rumsfeld: His Rise, Fall, and Catastrophic Legacy, and Kill Chain: The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins.
The Spoils of War: Power, Profit and the American War Machine is a book that exposes the inner workings of the military-industrial complex in the United States. In this book, Cockburn argues that the U.S. military has become a profit-driven enterprise that prioritizes corporate interests over national security. He traces the history of the military-industrial complex from its origins in World War II to its current state, where private contractors have become an integral part of military operations.
Cockburn also examines the role of lobbyists and politicians in perpetuating the military-industrial complex. He argues that these groups have a vested interest in maintaining a state of perpetual war, as it provides them with lucrative contracts and political power. The book also explores the human cost of war, including the toll it takes on soldiers and civilians alike.
Overall, The Spoils of War is a scathing critique of the U.S. military-industrial complex and its impact on American society. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Cockburn shines a light on the hidden forces that drive American foreign policy and military operations.
