Risa Brooks
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
Marquette Prof studying U.S. and comparative civil-military relations, political violence & armed forces in democracies and non-democracies.
"Is [Hegseth] itching to get the U.S. military into the streets, to back up ICE’s undertrained civilians with professional soldiers and heavier hardware?"
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Pete Hegseth Should Stay Out of Minneapolis
By inserting himself into the situation in Minnesota, the secretary of defense is only making things worse.
www.theatlantic.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
"Is [Hegseth] itching to get the U.S. military into the streets, to back up ICE’s undertrained civilians with professional soldiers and heavier hardware?"
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
If T invokes Insurrection Act & sends mil to MN, as some allies have been pushing, what might happen?1/
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I increasingly wonder if US civ-mil is now operating in full Huntingtonian mode: civilians dictate political goals & mil leaders advise on technical/tactical options to implement them while siloed off from the political implications or wisdom of that advice.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pentagon readies 1,500 soldiers to possibly deploy to Minnesota, officials say
Troops with the Army’s 11th Airborne Division in Alaska are preparing after President Donald Trump’s Insurrection Act threat, according to defense officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I increasingly wonder if US civ-mil is now operating in full Huntingtonian mode: civilians dictate political goals & mil leaders advise on technical/tactical options to implement them while siloed off from the political implications or wisdom of that advice.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Mandatory reading for everyone across the DoD (and across the country, for that matter).
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
In this new piece, I discuss the current state of politicization of the US military and efforts by civilian leadership to advance that project.
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
Volume 125 Issue 867 | Current History | University of California Press
online.ucpress.edu
January 10, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Mandatory reading for everyone across the DoD (and across the country, for that matter).
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
Whether someone agrees or disagrees with it is beside the point.
Things are far more likely to get worse before they get better.
The fundamental question will then be whether or not we can ever recover.
In this new piece, I discuss the current state of politicization of the US military and efforts by civilian leadership to advance that project.
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
Volume 125 Issue 867 | Current History | University of California Press
online.ucpress.edu
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
In this new piece, I discuss the current state of politicization of the US military and efforts by civilian leadership to advance that project.
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
I argue that there is a common logic, although not master plan, underlying civilian efforts.1/
Link here (no paywall): online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
Reposted by Risa Brooks
In our final Wednesday Seminar of the semester, Risa Brooks will discuss how political leaders transform professional militaries into partisan aligned forces in eroding democracies.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In our final Wednesday Seminar of the semester, Risa Brooks will discuss how political leaders transform professional militaries into partisan aligned forces in eroding democracies.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/xP1o4ATVRRQ?feature=share
@risabrooks12.bsky.social
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Hard to imagine a more sinister & dangerous argument, couched in euphemism & high-minded language. "This essay does not argue liberalism will collapse, only that [US] military officers should be intellectually (and spiritually) prepared for alternatives." warontherocks.com/2025/10/the-...
The American Military Officer After Liberalism
Across academia, government, and Silicon Valley, on social media, and in leading journals, intellectuals and political leaders are openly debating what
warontherocks.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Hard to imagine a more sinister & dangerous argument, couched in euphemism & high-minded language. "This essay does not argue liberalism will collapse, only that [US] military officers should be intellectually (and spiritually) prepared for alternatives." warontherocks.com/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Hey, you! Do you worry about executive abuse of military authority, but need a framework to analyze it? Well stop *worrying.* My new article on "executive shirking" is out from Perspectives on Politics. Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on this one! #civmilbluesky
The Responsibility to Be Reasonable: Conceptualizing Executive Shirking in Civil–Military Relations | Perspectives on Politics | Cambridge Core
The Responsibility to Be Reasonable: Conceptualizing Executive Shirking in Civil–Military Relations
www.cambridge.org
October 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Hey, you! Do you worry about executive abuse of military authority, but need a framework to analyze it? Well stop *worrying.* My new article on "executive shirking" is out from Perspectives on Politics. Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on this one! #civmilbluesky
Sharing this recent podcast by me on how civil-military relations (ideally) should work in liberal democracies.
See here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsma...
See here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsma...
October 27, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Sharing this recent podcast by me on how civil-military relations (ideally) should work in liberal democracies.
See here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsma...
See here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsma...
It's easy to see this speech as just weirdly performative, but there's a lot more—and a lot worse—going on here.
The meeting & speeches are part of a larger project aimed at promoting the military leadership’s partisan alignment with the administration.
How? 1/
The meeting & speeches are part of a larger project aimed at promoting the military leadership’s partisan alignment with the administration.
How? 1/
Hegseth: "If the words I'm speaking today are making your heart sink, they you should do the honorable thing and resign."
September 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
It's easy to see this speech as just weirdly performative, but there's a lot more—and a lot worse—going on here.
The meeting & speeches are part of a larger project aimed at promoting the military leadership’s partisan alignment with the administration.
How? 1/
The meeting & speeches are part of a larger project aimed at promoting the military leadership’s partisan alignment with the administration.
How? 1/
Reposted by Risa Brooks
The reason for military rules of engagement and adhering to laws of armed combat is not “political correctness,” it’s better strategy, serves long-term national interest, and is a way to make an awful part of the human experience a little less awful, based on lessons learned from centuries of blood.
September 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The reason for military rules of engagement and adhering to laws of armed combat is not “political correctness,” it’s better strategy, serves long-term national interest, and is a way to make an awful part of the human experience a little less awful, based on lessons learned from centuries of blood.
The public’s capacity to hold the military & its civilian ldrs accountable is a core principle of democratic control of the military.
If Pentagon reporters can’t do their jobs, citizens won‘t have info they need to do their part
Which may be the point here.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
If Pentagon reporters can’t do their jobs, citizens won‘t have info they need to do their part
Which may be the point here.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is imposing strict new rules that would severely limit the ability of journalists to report on the Pentagon.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The public’s capacity to hold the military & its civilian ldrs accountable is a core principle of democratic control of the military.
If Pentagon reporters can’t do their jobs, citizens won‘t have info they need to do their part
Which may be the point here.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
If Pentagon reporters can’t do their jobs, citizens won‘t have info they need to do their part
Which may be the point here.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
I imagined that sooner or later we might see these kind of tensions emerging in the open.
Wouldn‘t surprise me if there are growing and active efforts by pol ldrs to exploit such divisions in the ranks to break down nonpartisanship & lay groundwork for norms of partisan alignment to take hold
Wouldn‘t surprise me if there are growing and active efforts by pol ldrs to exploit such divisions in the ranks to break down nonpartisanship & lay groundwork for norms of partisan alignment to take hold
Saw a former AH-64 pilot question whether a maintenance dude who disliked K*rk could be trusted to conduct maintenance on an a/c flown by pilots he believed to be conservatives. They are running with this.
September 15, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I imagined that sooner or later we might see these kind of tensions emerging in the open.
Wouldn‘t surprise me if there are growing and active efforts by pol ldrs to exploit such divisions in the ranks to break down nonpartisanship & lay groundwork for norms of partisan alignment to take hold
Wouldn‘t surprise me if there are growing and active efforts by pol ldrs to exploit such divisions in the ranks to break down nonpartisanship & lay groundwork for norms of partisan alignment to take hold
My take is that senior officers are completely unprepared for this moment.
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
What's a MAJ supposed to do when they watch GOFOs and COLs do nothing and say nothing about what went down with LA, the parade, Bragg, and criticism of MoH recipients?
There's no top cover, no leadership, no hard convos. Just abdication and servility from the top creating difficulties on down.
There's no top cover, no leadership, no hard convos. Just abdication and servility from the top creating difficulties on down.
August 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
My take is that senior officers are completely unprepared for this moment.
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
When demo is healthy, there is little tension btw adhering to civilian control & serving democracy
Faced w/ the manifest clash in principles these missions present, they are doing what's familiar--following orders.1/
We are very alarmed.
Are there any civ-mil scholars who are not alarmed by this?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Sending the Guard to police DC citizens politicizes the military--just like using it and active duty troops against protesters and in immigration and counter cartel missions does.
This is no accident. It's part of a broader effort to transform the military into a partisan force.
This is no accident. It's part of a broader effort to transform the military into a partisan force.
August 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
We are very alarmed.
Sending the Guard to police DC citizens politicizes the military--just like using it and active duty troops against protesters and in immigration and counter cartel missions does.
This is no accident. It's part of a broader effort to transform the military into a partisan force.
This is no accident. It's part of a broader effort to transform the military into a partisan force.
NYT reporting today that the admin. is planning to use the U.S. military ag/ cartels. This has actually been in the works for awhile as I argued in this Foreign Affairs piece from April.
It's part of what I see as an effort to politicize the military and transform it into a partisan force. 1/
It's part of what I see as an effort to politicize the military and transform it into a partisan force. 1/
August 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Sending the Guard to police DC citizens politicizes the military--just like using it and active duty troops against protesters and in immigration and counter cartel missions does.
This is no accident. It's part of a broader effort to transform the military into a partisan force.
This is no accident. It's part of a broader effort to transform the military into a partisan force.
NYT reporting today that the admin. is planning to use the U.S. military ag/ cartels. This has actually been in the works for awhile as I argued in this Foreign Affairs piece from April.
It's part of what I see as an effort to politicize the military and transform it into a partisan force. 1/
It's part of what I see as an effort to politicize the military and transform it into a partisan force. 1/
August 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
NYT reporting today that the admin. is planning to use the U.S. military ag/ cartels. This has actually been in the works for awhile as I argued in this Foreign Affairs piece from April.
It's part of what I see as an effort to politicize the military and transform it into a partisan force. 1/
It's part of what I see as an effort to politicize the military and transform it into a partisan force. 1/
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Some thoughts about the military parade in my hometown of Washington DC today -- specifically, the route. Military parades in DC are quite rare. But when they happen, they have always begun, symbolically and geographically, at the Capitol and moved outward. 1/
June 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Some thoughts about the military parade in my hometown of Washington DC today -- specifically, the route. Military parades in DC are quite rare. But when they happen, they have always begun, symbolically and geographically, at the Capitol and moved outward. 1/
Instructing soldiers not to hoot and clap like they are at a political rally when a president gives a speech is civil-military relations 101.
Any officer should know this without even thinking about it.
Any officer should know this without even thinking about it.
“We’re treating it as a teachable moment,” said a senior Army official. “It was not a great look.”
Tonight, a deep dive on how the Army has been embroiled in -- and strained by -- this moment's partisan politics.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Tonight, a deep dive on how the Army has been embroiled in -- and strained by -- this moment's partisan politics.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Political turmoil strains the Army as it marks a milestone birthday
Trump’s rally at Fort Bragg was the latest event that has thrust the Army to the center of his most partisan machinations.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Instructing soldiers not to hoot and clap like they are at a political rally when a president gives a speech is civil-military relations 101.
Any officer should know this without even thinking about it.
Any officer should know this without even thinking about it.
This is such a thoughtful piece.
Thanks to @defenseone.bsky.social for publishing my latest on the military’s norm of nonpartisanship and why Army leaders must uphold and teach this, now more than ever.
www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/0...
www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/0...
The military must remain nonpartisan. America depends on it
The soldiers who cheered partisan applause lines at Fort Bragg, and their leaders, erred in a spectacular way.
www.defenseone.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:10 AM
This is such a thoughtful piece.
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Learning more is not making it better. Shout out to @risabrooks12.bsky.social for insightful commentary. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
Jess Blankshain leaves the Christmas lights up 'til January
@profjessblankshain.bsky.social
· Jun 10
To clarify, I'm not worried because this tells us something about the political views of "The Troops." I'm alarmed because of how many times/places professional norms had to break down for this to happen.
Jess Blankshain leaves the Christmas lights up 'til January
@profjessblankshain.bsky.social
· Jun 10
Candidly, as a civ-mil watcher, this scene at Bragg is freaking me out more than anything else that's happened so far. Just an absolute collapse of professional military norms.
June 11, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Learning more is not making it better. Shout out to @risabrooks12.bsky.social for insightful commentary. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
Reposted by Risa Brooks
Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.
Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance
As Trump viciously attacked his perceived political foes, he whipped up boos from the gathered troops directed at California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.
www.military.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.
Yesterday was rough for U.S. civ-mil relations watchers. Most recent violations of the military's nonpartisan ethic have been instigated by civilian side (politicians). Clapping at Bragg came from breakdown on mil side.
Let's hope mil leaders take it as a wake-up call & get their house in order.
Let's hope mil leaders take it as a wake-up call & get their house in order.
June 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Yesterday was rough for U.S. civ-mil relations watchers. Most recent violations of the military's nonpartisan ethic have been instigated by civilian side (politicians). Clapping at Bragg came from breakdown on mil side.
Let's hope mil leaders take it as a wake-up call & get their house in order.
Let's hope mil leaders take it as a wake-up call & get their house in order.
Reposted by Risa Brooks
To clarify, I'm not worried because this tells us something about the political views of "The Troops." I'm alarmed because of how many times/places professional norms had to break down for this to happen.
Jess Blankshain leaves the Christmas lights up 'til January
@profjessblankshain.bsky.social
· Jun 10
Candidly, as a civ-mil watcher, this scene at Bragg is freaking me out more than anything else that's happened so far. Just an absolute collapse of professional military norms.
June 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
To clarify, I'm not worried because this tells us something about the political views of "The Troops." I'm alarmed because of how many times/places professional norms had to break down for this to happen.
There are reports that service members were vetted in advance to ensure they would go along.
If true, that makes it even worse. It means those in charge were complicit in the breakdown of professional norms.
If true, that makes it even worse. It means those in charge were complicit in the breakdown of professional norms.
June 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
There are reports that service members were vetted in advance to ensure they would go along.
If true, that makes it even worse. It means those in charge were complicit in the breakdown of professional norms.
If true, that makes it even worse. It means those in charge were complicit in the breakdown of professional norms.
Reposted by Risa Brooks
This is not a good sign.
June 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
This is not a good sign.