The ‘warrior ethos’ promises victory — history says it leads to defeat
- Written by John Broich, Associate Professor of History, Case Western Reserve University
Hitler and Mussolini salute Nazi troops in 1937.Bettmann/Getty ImagesAt Marine Corps Base Quantico in September 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised assembled generals “maximum lethality” and no “stupid rules of engagement.” Under his leadership, the newly rebranded Department of War would “untie the hands of...
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