From this close-in vantage point, Junger discusses the universal themes at play in the experience of all soldiers, ancient and modern, who experience combat: fear, killing, and love, that “intoxicating” bond formed by the men who wage battle together.

Recorded on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Cast

Sebastian Junger

Sebastian Junger

Related

Podcasts

Amidst “A World Of Generational Change”: 9/11’s Lessons And Legacy

The 9/11 attacks on the US were 25 years ago this week and, while there hasn’t been a second such shock, questions remain as to the Free World’s preparedness, whether a divided America can rediscover unity, and the strength of international alliances. Phillip Zelikow, the Hoover Institution’s Botha-Chan senior fellow and executive director of the 9/11 Commission, discusses lessons learned from the attack.

September 11, 2026 • 0 Min Listen

Articles

Securing the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal—the transoceanic waterway through which five percent of global commerce flows—is critical for U.S. national security.

September 8, 2026

Articles

“A Ship’s A Fool To Fight A Fort”: Chokepoints, Coastal Firepower, And The New Contest For The Maritime Commons

The proliferation of land-based missiles, cheap drones, and integrated anti-access/area-denial networks has overturned centuries of assumptions about naval dominance, allowing regional powers—and their proxies—to hold critical maritime trade at risk. Traditional sea powers must adapt on two fronts: preventing chokepoint closures through deterrence by denial and mitigating them through resilience by design.

September 8, 2026