Ben Griffin
@bengriffin06.bsky.social
Historian and nerd who writes about pop culture and strategy. Author of Reagan’s War Stories: A Cold War Presidency. Stories we tell and enjoy matter. Imagined World Orders: Tom Clancy and US National Security forthcoming. Go Army!
So 26 years ago, I heard "The Saga Begins" which was my introduction to Weird Al. Played it for my son tonight and he about died laughing
October 12, 2025 at 1:01 AM
So 26 years ago, I heard "The Saga Begins" which was my introduction to Weird Al. Played it for my son tonight and he about died laughing
Am convinced George H.W. Bush intentionally lifted "one thousand points of light" from Arthur Clarke, just need to prove it...
September 29, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Am convinced George H.W. Bush intentionally lifted "one thousand points of light" from Arthur Clarke, just need to prove it...
Nice way to spend an afternoon. #MontereyJazzFest
September 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Nice way to spend an afternoon. #MontereyJazzFest
Daughter came downstairs tonight and asked about the show I was watching (Silo) which led to a half hour talk about the Cold War. Great night.
September 14, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Daughter came downstairs tonight and asked about the show I was watching (Silo) which led to a half hour talk about the Cold War. Great night.
Great tribunal of dads moment @xoofxos.bsky.social. Took Patrick early to Pokefest to get a free plush, I gave mine to a toddler whose family arrived too late. Kid’s dad nodded and shock my hand. As we were leaving an hour later, same dad gave Patrick a pack of cards. Great dad energy all around.
September 13, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Great tribunal of dads moment @xoofxos.bsky.social. Took Patrick early to Pokefest to get a free plush, I gave mine to a toddler whose family arrived too late. Kid’s dad nodded and shock my hand. As we were leaving an hour later, same dad gave Patrick a pack of cards. Great dad energy all around.
Achieved a lifelong dream a couple weeks ago and got a home run ball in a game. Justified not throwing it back since that is a Wrigley Field thing and the usher very kindly asked me not to.
September 12, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Achieved a lifelong dream a couple weeks ago and got a home run ball in a game. Justified not throwing it back since that is a Wrigley Field thing and the usher very kindly asked me not to.
Always love a good Clancy reference.
Andre, you mean to tell me the 2025 Orioles:
- were down 3-0
- broke up a no-hitter with a solo HR
- went on to score 3 more runs and walk it off
- all with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth?
- were down 3-0
- broke up a no-hitter with a solo HR
- went on to score 3 more runs and walk it off
- all with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth?
September 7, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Always love a good Clancy reference.
Thanks to @jeremisuri.bsky.social for letting me share my thoughts on the Army and our 250th birthday. Tell my Soldiers every chance I get that they are part of something special they should take a lot of pride in. democracyofhope.substack.com/p/the-us-arm...
The U.S. Army and 250 Years of American Democracy
The U.S. Army’s legacy through the personal stories of soldiers who shaped America’s democracy.
democracyofhope.substack.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Thanks to @jeremisuri.bsky.social for letting me share my thoughts on the Army and our 250th birthday. Tell my Soldiers every chance I get that they are part of something special they should take a lot of pride in. democracyofhope.substack.com/p/the-us-arm...
My favorite President Carter moments are tied to the Camp David Accords. After difficulties in negotiations, Carter watched Star Wars with Anwar Sadat and the group undertook a staff ride to Gettysburg. Proof that History and SciFi can solve the most intractable problems. RIP.
December 30, 2024 at 3:37 AM
My favorite President Carter moments are tied to the Camp David Accords. After difficulties in negotiations, Carter watched Star Wars with Anwar Sadat and the group undertook a staff ride to Gettysburg. Proof that History and SciFi can solve the most intractable problems. RIP.
I appreciate @thestrategybridge.bsky.social giving me the chance to write about the need for the military to do more to explain what we do and who we are to the American public.
Today, our Civ-Mil discussion continues with
@bengriffin06.bsky.social's look at how to reintroduce the American people to their Armed Forces.
thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2...
@bengriffin06.bsky.social's look at how to reintroduce the American people to their Armed Forces.
thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2...
Finding a New Big Picture: Reintroducing the American People to Their Armed Forces
Given the size of the military is not likely to grow and old bases are not
going to come back, the volume of storytellers and their reach will
continue to diminish. To repair its relationship with t...
thestrategybridge.org
December 11, 2023 at 2:10 PM
I appreciate @thestrategybridge.bsky.social giving me the chance to write about the need for the military to do more to explain what we do and who we are to the American public.
Really enjoying 007 Road to a Million. Captures the Bond vibe and adds in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Fear Factor stunts, and the Amazing Race.
November 11, 2023 at 3:58 AM
Really enjoying 007 Road to a Million. Captures the Bond vibe and adds in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Fear Factor stunts, and the Amazing Race.
Thanks to ABMC I got the chance to see The Great War and the Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall last night. Very interesting and entertaining show incorporating history, literature and music. Had a lot of fun and am glad I got to see it in such a historic venue!
November 9, 2023 at 4:02 PM
Thanks to ABMC I got the chance to see The Great War and the Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall last night. Very interesting and entertaining show incorporating history, literature and music. Had a lot of fun and am glad I got to see it in such a historic venue!
A key mistake Marvel's made is in trying to constantly one up the threat of previous movies. Stakes don't need to be existential to the galaxy, they need to matter to the characters. Plenty of great comics have featured stories where the outcome of the action matters only to the hero involved.
separately, about superhero films in general but particularly the various cinematic universes that have come into being over the last 10 years... how does everyone in that world handle a universe-threatening crisis every like six months. exhausting
November 7, 2023 at 3:46 AM
A key mistake Marvel's made is in trying to constantly one up the threat of previous movies. Stakes don't need to be existential to the galaxy, they need to matter to the characters. Plenty of great comics have featured stories where the outcome of the action matters only to the hero involved.
Come join us in the History Department at West Point! The Stewart and Linda Resnick Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies is looking for a three-year fellow in mass atrocity, a two-year in the history of extremism, and a two year in race and/or gender studies. It's a great place to work!
November 6, 2023 at 6:59 PM
Come join us in the History Department at West Point! The Stewart and Linda Resnick Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies is looking for a three-year fellow in mass atrocity, a two-year in the history of extremism, and a two year in race and/or gender studies. It's a great place to work!
Conan the Librarian
November 6, 2023 at 2:49 AM
Conan the Librarian
Wrote a book about Clancy and the 80s and it took a random conversation tonight about what is/is not a Christmas movie to make me realize that McTiernan featured bears with red bows as presents in both Die Hard and Hunt for Red October...
November 6, 2023 at 1:52 AM
Wrote a book about Clancy and the 80s and it took a random conversation tonight about what is/is not a Christmas movie to make me realize that McTiernan featured bears with red bows as presents in both Die Hard and Hunt for Red October...
Due to TBS marathons I always associate November with James Bond movies. My son (9) wants to start watching them, curious as to opinions as to where to start him. I'm leaning Moore.
November 6, 2023 at 12:34 AM
Due to TBS marathons I always associate November with James Bond movies. My son (9) wants to start watching them, curious as to opinions as to where to start him. I'm leaning Moore.
Army women's soccer loses on PKs to Bucknell for the second consecutive year in the Patriot League championship. Brutal end to another great season.
November 5, 2023 at 7:46 PM
Army women's soccer loses on PKs to Bucknell for the second consecutive year in the Patriot League championship. Brutal end to another great season.
Being forced to engage with hateful content that I couldn’t mute or block was my last straw with the other place. It’s going to keep happening there and I’m done spending time and energy on the site.
November 5, 2023 at 1:24 AM
Being forced to engage with hateful content that I couldn’t mute or block was my last straw with the other place. It’s going to keep happening there and I’m done spending time and energy on the site.
Stunned Army won! Defense crushed it. Now just need to Beat Navy! #SingSecond
November 4, 2023 at 9:44 PM
Stunned Army won! Defense crushed it. Now just need to Beat Navy! #SingSecond
TBS/TNT airing a commercial saying Santa isn’t real is a weird choice for their brand.
November 4, 2023 at 2:52 AM
TBS/TNT airing a commercial saying Santa isn’t real is a weird choice for their brand.
I shouted for joy when I saw the cover of my book for the first time.
November 4, 2023 at 1:47 AM
I shouted for joy when I saw the cover of my book for the first time.
Nothing has ever gone wrong in US history when allowing banks to have their own currencies.
November 4, 2023 at 12:46 AM
Nothing has ever gone wrong in US history when allowing banks to have their own currencies.
Tonight's one shot with @xoofxos.bsky.social, @therjhw.bsky.social, and @cuddlyonmain.bsky.social ended up less Night of the Living Dead and more Scooby Doo + creative tractor use than planned. It was awesome.
November 4, 2023 at 12:43 AM
Tonight's one shot with @xoofxos.bsky.social, @therjhw.bsky.social, and @cuddlyonmain.bsky.social ended up less Night of the Living Dead and more Scooby Doo + creative tractor use than planned. It was awesome.