PDF Summary:Drift, by Rachel Maddow

In Drift, Rachel Maddow examines how the power of the executive branch to initiate military action has expanded greatly since the Vietnam War, despite measures meant to constrain it.

From Ronald Reagan deliberately ignoring the War Powers Act to George W. Bush waging war without apparent public backing, Maddow reveals how recent presidents circumvented public discourse and legislative oversight. She also explores the rising privatization of military roles under Clinton, the CIA's transformation into a militarized force carrying out covert operations, and the declining state of critical defense capabilities like America's aging nuclear arsenal.

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Context

• Notable examples include the use of private military contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, where issues of cost overruns and accountability were widely reported.
• The complexity of contracts and the potential for conflicts of interest can make it challenging to ensure that private contractors are delivering value for money.
• The shift to outsourcing often outpaces the development of regulatory frameworks, leading to gaps in accountability and oversight.
• Governments often perceive outsourcing as a cost-saving measure, believing that private companies can deliver services more cheaply than maintaining a large standing military force.
• Private organizations are driven by profit motives, which can sometimes conflict with the public interest, leading to cost overruns and inefficiencies.

The conversation and understanding of military operations have grown fragmented as a result of dependence on corporations from the private sector.

Maddow argues that the involvement of private entities has significantly obscured military activities from public examination and debate. The increasing reliance on contractors for logistical and support roles led to a reduced need to call up reserve units, which had once served as a tangible sign of the impact of war on everyday life. Public disapproval concerning the casualties, which once served as a substantial deterrent to presidential military decision-making, diminished because the deaths of contractors rarely made the news and garnered minimal public interest.

The diminished public awareness of the expenses and human toll of conflict shouldered by non-combatants.

The participation of private companies in military operations has resulted in a reduced public consciousness of the impact these conflicts have on the lives of civilians and their economic well-being. The human cost of the conflict was less apparent, with the fatalities among contractors not receiving the same level of public attention or official record-keeping as those suffered by members of the armed forces. Additionally, the tactics used by the Bush administration, which included banning media coverage of the arrival of flag-draped caskets at the military airbase and the absence of the president and vice president at military funerals, contributed to increasing the disconnect between the general public and the true costs of war.

Practical Tips

• You can increase public awareness by starting a blog that features stories and interviews with civilians in conflict zones. By sharing firsthand accounts, you provide a platform for those directly affected by military operations to voice their experiences, which can help to illuminate the often-overlooked human side of warfare. For example, reach out to NGOs working in affected areas to connect with individuals willing to share their stories.
• Volunteer with organizations that support contractors and their families, offering your time or skills to help with their initiatives. By actively participating, you contribute to the cause and help bring more attention to the sacrifices made by contractors.
• Create a visual representation of the impact of war by crafting a collage or digital artwork that juxtaposes images of daily life with those from conflict zones. Use this as a conversation starter among friends or as a personal reminder of the stark differences between the lived experiences of civilians and soldiers.

The connection between society and the expenses associated with warfare has diminished.

Maddow argues that such changes have resulted in a more tenuous connection with the responsibilities associated with warfare within society. The actions of the authorities resulted in making perpetual warfare seem ordinary by transferring key aspects of combat operations and obscuring the significant human costs, which allowed the conflict to persist indefinitely with little public debate or political consequences.

Context

• The use of emergency supplemental appropriations to fund wars can bypass normal budgetary scrutiny, making it less transparent how much is being spent on military operations.
• Defense budgets are often complex and not fully transparent, making it difficult for the public to understand the true financial cost of ongoing military operations.
• The use of drones and other remote technologies has shifted combat operations away from traditional troop deployments, reducing the immediate visibility of warfare's human costs.
• The impact of war on civilian populations, including displacement and economic hardship, is frequently underrepresented in discussions about the costs of war.
• A societal desensitization to conflict, partly due to continuous exposure to global violence through media, can lead to a diminished sense of urgency or moral responsibility to question or oppose ongoing wars.

The growing participation of military forces in global affairs, coupled with the expanding influence of intelligence agencies and their developing capabilities, signifies a notable change.

The conversation explores the expansion of the Central Intelligence Agency's role in military operations, particularly under the administrations of Presidents Bush and Obama. Maddow underscores the expanded involvement of these organizations in covert activities and precise eliminations, often executed with scarce clarity or regulation by legislative bodies. Rachel Maddow argues that this change has further eroded the legal and political constraints governing the use of armed forces.

Over the course of Presidents Bush and Obama's administrations, the CIA transformed into an organization with a stronger military character, expanding its range of covert military operations.

The writer argues that the CIA has transformed from a simple intelligence-collecting agency into a body that functions with the efficiency of a military force, especially under the administrations of Presidents Bush and Obama. The agency has progressively assumed responsibility for covert actions, utilizing strategies such as precise eliminations and deploying drones, functions traditionally associated with military personnel. The growth in military strength has blurred the lines between espionage activities and acts of war, raising issues about oversight and accountability.

The CIA carries out drone strikes and executes targeted eliminations without the scrutiny of the public.

Maddow explores the expanding role of the CIA in carrying out targeted assassinations and the escalating use of drone strikes, which have gained prominence since the events of September 11. The author highlights the program's opacity and the absence of mechanisms to hold it accountable, despite its frequent portrayal as a targeted and efficient counterterrorism measure. The initiative involving unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the CIA is carried out clandestinely, with limited oversight from legislative bodies and a broad unawareness among the general populace. The use of external contractors by the agency further obscures its activities from scrutiny, making it more difficult to assess the effectiveness of the initiative and its adherence to international legal standards.

Other Perspectives

• The CIA's use of drones and targeted killings is sometimes subject to review by the judicial system, for instance, when specific cases are brought to court, which provides a form of legal oversight.
• The perception of an increase in the CIA's role may be influenced by selective reporting and public attention, rather than a substantial change in the agency's operational scope or frequency of actions.
• The program's efficiency in counterterrorism could be due to its covert nature, which may necessitate a certain level of secrecy to be effective.
• Some argue that the use of drones for targeted strikes is more transparent and accountable than alternative military actions, as drones can be more precise, potentially reducing collateral damage and the risk to American personnel.
• The notion of public unawareness may not fully account for the information that is available through official statements, government disclosures, and the work of investigative journalists who have brought aspects of the drone program to light.
• The use of contractors can be a response to resource constraints within the CIA, allowing the agency to scale operations quickly and efficiently while maintaining oversight through contractual obligations.
• Compliance with international legal standards could be indirectly monitored through intergovernmental organizations or through the oversight provided by congressional committees, even if the operations are classified.

The use of private firms and specialized units for clandestine military activities.

The increasing reliance on specialized combat forces and corporations that provide military services for clandestine missions is causing the boundaries of supervision and accountability to become increasingly indistinct. Maddow argues that this dependency allows the executive branch to carry out military operations in secret, bypassing the obligation to explain their actions to legislators or the public.

Other Perspectives

• Private firms and specialized units may not always be used for clandestine activities; they can also provide support in logistics, training, and technical areas which are not inherently secretive or clandestine.
• Specialized combat forces and military service corporations have always been a part of military operations, and their use is not necessarily increasing but rather evolving with technological and geopolitical changes.
• Oversight mechanisms and accountability measures can be adapted and strengthened to address the evolving nature of private military involvement, ensuring that supervision remains clear and effective.

Oversight by citizens and governmental bodies over military and intelligence activities has waned.

The author argues that an increasing reliance on covert activities and private organizations has led to a significant decrease in oversight from both lawmakers and the public regarding defense and intelligence initiatives. She expands on how, under the leadership of Bush and Obama, covert operations grew and undisclosed legal rationales were crafted with the intent to keep such actions hidden from public scrutiny. They adeptly circumvented the limitations imposed by the War Powers Resolution through the employment of private military entities and by claiming that certain military actions did not constitute "hostilities," thereby eliminating the requirement for congressional consent or notification.

Organizations focused on defense and espionage now operate with increased secrecy.

Maddow underscores the increased secrecy enveloping activities in the military and intelligence communities following the September 11th incidents. The executive branch often invokes the need for confidentiality to bypass legislative oversight and limit public knowledge of ongoing military activities. The Intelligence Committee often does not possess a complete understanding of the agency's activities, highlighting the secretive aspect of the CIA's financial allocations.

Other Perspectives

• While it is true that secrecy has increased in some areas, there are also instances where transparency has improved, with more information being declassified and shared with the public than in the past.
• The executive branch may need to act swiftly in certain situations where the process of legislative oversight could impede timely responses to emerging threats.
• Limiting public knowledge can be a strategic necessity to protect national security interests and the safety of military personnel.
• Intelligence agencies may withhold certain sensitive details from the Intelligence Committee to protect sources and methods, which is a standard practice for national security reasons.
• The CIA's budget is partially disclosed to the public, with top-line figures provided to ensure a degree of transparency and accountability.

Public scrutiny and the ability to question those in power have waned, resulting in a decline in conversations regarding the use of armed forces.

The author contends that such changes have eroded the capacity of the public to demand accountability from their leaders and to partake in meaningful dialogue about the deployment of military forces. The increasing reliance on private companies, along with a surge in covert activities and elevated secrecy surrounding military operations, has created a circumstance in which actions during war can occur with minimal public scrutiny or political consequences.

Context

• Over the years, media ownership has become concentrated in the hands of a few large corporations, which can lead to less investigative journalism and reduced coverage of government actions, impacting public scrutiny.
• A cultural shift towards prioritizing domestic issues over foreign policy can lead to less public interest and discussion about military engagements abroad.
• The consolidation of media companies and the rise of digital platforms have shifted how information is disseminated, often leading to fragmented or superficial coverage of complex issues like military operations.
• The increased use of private military contractors has led to less transparency and public oversight, as these entities operate outside the traditional military framework.
• When private companies are involved, it can be challenging to hold them accountable for misconduct or failures, as they operate under different legal frameworks and may be protected by complex contractual agreements.
• The increase in covert activities can be traced back to the post-9/11 era, where there was a significant expansion of intelligence operations and special forces missions globally, often justified by the need to combat terrorism.
• Various laws, such as the Patriot Act in the United States, have broadened government powers to conduct surveillance and secret operations, often with limited oversight from Congress or the judiciary.
• Access to conflict zones is often restricted, and information is tightly controlled by military and government agencies, which can prevent journalists from reporting independently and fully on military actions.
• The development of legal frameworks that allow for military actions without formal declarations of war can bypass traditional political processes, reducing the opportunity for political consequences.

Essential military capacities, including nuclear arsenals, have diminished, and the increasing separation of military actions from public oversight is a significant concern.

This part of the text examines the decline and lack of proper supervision of critical defense mechanisms, particularly emphasizing the oversight of America's nuclear weapons. Maddow argues that despite the significant investment in nuclear capabilities during the intense competition between the superpowers, recent years have seen a neglect of this area, resulting in an aging and increasingly undependable arsenal. Despite these troubling trends, the enhancement and upkeep of mechanisms for nuclear deterrence have not attracted adequate focus from the public and policymakers.

The pool of specialized knowledge has diminished in tandem with the reduction of America's nuclear arsenal.

The author emphasizes the concerning fact that America's nuclear weapons are aging and the reservoir of expert knowledge is shrinking, which poses a threat to the country's security. She narrates the tale of Cold War nuclear arms expenditure extravagance, observing that the justification for keeping an extensive arsenal of these weapons dissipated with the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, instead of dismantling the aging infrastructure, the U.S. has continued to pour resources into maintaining it, despite the evident challenges. The difficulties further encompass the upkeep of an antiquated and technologically inferior armory, replacing experts with essential expertise in sophisticated weaponry who are departing, and guaranteeing the secure management of nuclear materials.

Challenges in preserving the arsenal of atomic weaponry, especially regarding the development of "Fogbank," arise from the deterioration associated with the advancing age of nuclear arms.

The author illuminates various upkeep difficulties plaguing the nuclear initiative, including problems from mold-ridden missile silos to the intricate process of replicating a crucial component of nuclear weaponry. The exodus of Cold War-era specialists has intensified the challenges associated with upholding the reliability and safety of our atomic weapons stockpile.

Context

• Funding for nuclear weapons maintenance and modernization can be inconsistent, affecting the ability to address aging issues comprehensively and promptly.
• Mold and other maintenance issues can affect the operational readiness of missile systems, potentially delaying response times or requiring costly repairs.
• Many of the scientists and engineers who originally developed and worked with Fogbank retired or left the field, resulting in a knowledge gap that complicated efforts to reproduce the material.
• The specialists were familiar with specific security protocols and procedures developed during the Cold War, which are crucial for safely managing nuclear arsenals.

The general public and policymakers have not shown adequate attention to the decline and subsequent revival of nuclear capabilities.

The author argues that the challenges associated with preserving an outdated nuclear arsenal have been overlooked by both the public and those responsible for making strategic decisions. The focus on conventional warfare and counterterrorism efforts has inadvertently led to the neglect of this vital aspect of national security.

Practical Tips

• Write to your local representative expressing your concerns about nuclear arsenal maintenance and ask for their stance on the issue. Personal letters to elected officials can highlight the importance of the issue in the public eye and can sometimes influence policy decisions. Make sure to be clear about the risks of outdated nuclear arsenals and ask for specific actions to address these challenges.
• Encourage your local educational institutions to include nuclear security topics in their curriculum by reaching out to school boards or university departments. Suggest that they consider guest lectures, seminars, or courses that address the importance of nuclear security in the modern world, emphasizing its relevance to current global security challenges.

The disconnection of military operations from public examination and the creation of perpetual combat as a norm.

Rachel Maddow argues in her book that the elements she examines, such as the expansion of presidential power to initiate conflicts, the privatization of military functions, the rising military presence within intelligence organizations, and the neglect in preserving critical capabilities like nuclear weaponry, have resulted in a state where military actions are executed with little observation by the public and the notion of perpetual warfare has been normalized.

The reduced effect on the lives of civilians and the decreased recognition of the human and financial costs linked to military conflicts.

The author underscores that the broader public remains disconnected from the current state of military engagements, owing to the scant public consciousness of casualties in war, the limitation of combat visuals, and the negligible impact such military operations exert on the day-to-day lives of ordinary individuals. Maddow suggests that this detachment prolongs conflicts without end, because there exists no significant political motivation to bring them to a close.

Practical Tips

• Engage with veterans and active military personnel through pen pal programs or volunteer work at local veterans' organizations. Hearing firsthand accounts can provide a personal connection to military life and the realities of service that you won't get from media or books. This can also foster a sense of community and support for those who have served.
• You can raise awareness by wearing a piece of jewelry or accessory that symbolizes peace or remembrance of war casualties. Choose a distinctive item like a bracelet or pin that invites questions from others, allowing you to share information about war casualties and the importance of public consciousness.
• You can create a visual filter for your social media feeds that reduces exposure to combat-related content by using existing content-filtering extensions. Customize the settings to screen out keywords and images associated with combat, which can help minimize the impact of such visuals on your daily life. For example, if you're using a browser extension like "StayFocusd" or "uBlock Origin," you can input specific keywords or image tags that you want to avoid, and the extension will block or blur them in your feed.
• Engage in role-playing games or simulations that involve scenarios of military operations, where you take on the role of a civilian. This immersive experience can help you understand the complexities and challenges civilians may face, even if the direct impact is deemed negligible. For example, you could use a game like "This War of Mine," which simulates civilian survival during a war, to explore the indirect effects on daily life that might not be immediately apparent.
• Implement a 'no-walk-away' rule in your personal relationships for a month, where you commit to addressing issues as they arise instead of avoiding them. This could mean setting a rule with your partner that any disagreements must be discussed within 24 hours. By doing this, you're creating a habit of facing conflicts head-on, which can prevent them from festering and leading to detachment and prolonged issues.
• Create a visual infographic that breaks down the complexities of a political conflict into an easy-to-understand format. Use free graphic design tools like Canva to design an infographic that highlights the key players, the stakes, and the barriers to resolution. Share your creation on social media platforms to educate and engage your network, encouraging them to share it further to spread awareness.

The increasing use of private contractors and intelligence agencies to conduct military operations outside of public scrutiny

Maddow contends that the increasing use of private contractors and intelligence agencies to conduct military operations outside of public scrutiny has further compounded this problem. The government has the capacity to conduct military maneuvers beyond the watchful eyes of both the public and legislators through the use of covert activities and the recruitment of little-known private security companies.

Practical Tips

• Start a blog or podcast discussing the ethical implications of outsourcing military operations. Use this platform to explore and debate the consequences of using private contractors and intelligence agencies in warfare, such as accountability, transparency, and the impact on local populations. This will not only deepen your understanding but also contribute to the public discourse on the subject.
• Start a trend journal where you note down observations from your daily life that seem unusual or out of the ordinary. This could be anything from a new fashion accessory you see people wearing to a sudden popularity of a particular diet among your friends. Over time, you may start to see patterns that point to broader societal shifts.
• You can increase your awareness of government activities by regularly checking public records and government databases for any unannounced military exercises or maneuvers. By doing so, you'll be able to track patterns or changes in military activity that aren't covered by the media or discussed in official statements. For example, if you notice a sudden increase in local military base activity or procurement of equipment without any public announcement, it could indicate undisclosed maneuvers.
• Develop a habit of using encrypted communication apps for sensitive conversations. Apps like Signal or Telegram offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and the person you're communicating with can read what is sent. This practice keeps your conversations private and less susceptible to interception or surveillance.
• You can increase your awareness of private security companies by following them on social media to understand their role in military operations. Many of these companies maintain an online presence to share news and updates about their services. By following them, you'll get a firsthand look at how they present themselves and the types of operations they are involved in, which can provide a clearer picture of their activities and the scale at which they operate.