Veteran warns that America's internal polarization creates a strategic weakness
A former U.S. Army soldier who fought Islamist militants argues that the growing animosity among Americans poses a serious national security risk.
Drawing on combat experience against radical jihadists, the veteran describes how he once faced enemies whose hatred was taught from childhood. He contrasts that foreign, indoctrinated animus with the intense, homegrown contempt many citizens now feel for one another. The piece suggests that this domestic division could be exploited by adversaries, turning internal discord into a strategic vulnerability for the United States.
Why it matters
Domestic polarization may weaken national unity and be exploited by foreign adversaries.
In this story
political dividestrategic vulnerabilityU.S. veterandomestic polarizationextremismsocial cohesion