The Washington Game: Kelley B. Vlahos on The Afghanistan Papers, The Blob, and Conservatism

In December 2019, The Washington Post obtained and published internal documents, now known as The Afghanistan Papers, from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). These documents revealed top political and military leaders systematically lied to the American public about the war in Afghanistan’s progress, and continued its mission despite knowing victory was unachievable. Why do both Democratic and Republican administrations continue misleading us, and what is at stake? Mark Hannah sits down with Kelley B. Vlahos this week to discuss a culture in Washington which leads to a perpetual investment in unnecessary war. They discuss the military-industrial complex, military restraint, and where conservatism fits into it all. What is the conservative case against these wars, and how can we break the blob mentality which perpetuates America’s troubling cycle of miring itself in unnecessary wars?

Listen Here: Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Radio Public | Soundcloud | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS

This podcast episode includes references to the Eurasia Group Foundation, now known as the Institute for Global Affairs.