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Always at War

Always at War

Written by: Courtney Rawlings & Alex Jordan
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Why is America seemingly always at war? Join the Quincy Institute’s Courtney Rawlings and Alex Jordan as they expose the monied interests, outdated ideologies, and entrenched powers that have driven the U.S. to wage nearly 400 wars and interventions.


Each episode, they’ll be joined by journalists, advocates, and experts to uncover who profits from America’s endless conflicts, and to imagine how we can build a better, more peaceful U.S. foreign policy.


Learn more about the Quincy Institute: quincyinst.org


Contact the show: alwaysatwar@quincyinst.org

© 2026 Always at War
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The deadly decline of US empire | GOING DEEP with Noah Kulwin
    Feb 27 2026

    On this episode of Always at War, Courtney and Alex go deep with Noah Kulwin, journalist and co-host of the hit documentary podcast Blowback, on why American interventionism thrives on the very chaos it claims to be fighting.

    First, they get into how Noah came to be interested in America’s role in the world, the origins of Blowback, and how chaos figures into America’s strategy to maintain global military primacy.

    Next, they explore how the American public has been insulated from the costs of war since the end of the draft, and what this means for building opposition to our endless, ruinous interventions.

    Finally, they examine why America’s major political parties continue to invest in status quo foreign policy, and why Washington seems set on breaking the global chessboard if it doesn’t get to control the game anymore.

    RESOURCES

    • Subscribe to blowback: blowback.show

    • Read Jeff Stein’s reporting on US sanctions: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2024/us-sanction-countries-work/

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    Why is America seemingly always at war? Join the Quincy Institute’s Courtney Rawlings and Alex Jordan as they expose the monied interests, outdated ideologies, and entrenched powers that have driven the U.S. to wage nearly 400 wars and interventions.

    They’ll be joined by journalists, advocates, and experts to uncover who profits from America’s endless conflicts, and to imagine how we can build a better, more peaceful U.S. foreign policy.

    Learn more about the Quincy Institute: quincyinst.org
    Contact the show: alwaysatwar@quincyinst.org

    Show art by Justin Hantz

    ###
    Quincy Institute is an independent, nonprofit think tank.
    Help fund our research: https://quincyinst.org/donations/
    Read our reporting: https://ResponsibleStatecraft.org
    Twitter: https://x.com/QuincyInst
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/quincyinst
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quincyinst
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com//quincyinst
    Website: https://quincyinst.org

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Trump is strangling Cuba and threatening Iran. Feel safer yet?
    Feb 13 2026

    On this episode of Always at War, Courtney and Alex dive into the Trump administration's escalating threats against Iran and Cuba, exploring why Washington seems hell-bent on repeating its regime change failures of the past.

    First, they examine the looming threat of war with Iran and discuss how pro-Israel figures are pushing a "poison pill" for Iran talks that would ensure their failure, sparking a new forever war that Americans don't want.

    Next, they shift focus to the Cuba, where the US has initiated a campaign of strangulation against the Cuban people through a fuel blockade. They discuss the ideological underpinnings of America's Cuba policy since the revolution and the devastating human cost of the crises we've created — in pursuit of what, exactly?

    Finally, Courtney and Alex reflect on Washington's inability to reconcile basic facts and history with reality. Is there something in the water over there?

    ###
    Why is America seemingly always at war? Join the Quincy Institute’s Courtney Rawlings and Alex Jordan as they expose the monied interests, outdated ideologies, and entrenched powers that have driven the U.S. to wage nearly 400 wars and interventions.

    They’ll be joined by journalists, advocates, and experts to uncover who profits from America’s endless conflicts, and to imagine how we can build a better, more peaceful U.S. foreign policy.

    Learn more about the Quincy Institute: quincyinst.org
    Contact the show: alwaysatwar@quincyinst.org

    Show art by Justin Hantz

    ###
    Quincy Institute is an independent, nonprofit think tank.
    Help fund our research: https://quincyinst.org/donations/
    Read our reporting: https://ResponsibleStatecraft.org
    Twitter: https://x.com/QuincyInst
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/quincyinst
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quincyinst
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com//quincyinst
    Website: https://quincyinst.org

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • A dystopian vision for Gaza & Canada says the quiet part loud
    Jan 30 2026

    Courtney and Alex are breaking down the latest news that explain why the U.S. remains perpetually at war — this week, courtesy of our benevolent overlords in Davos at the World Economic Forum.

    First, they congratulate Larry Ellison on Oracle's acquisition of TikTok and swift shadow-banning of Courtney’s account.

    Next, they discuss Trump's "Board of Peace" and plan to build a "New Gaza" over the ashes of a genocide — and the chilling details of what this "peace" vision could entail, from forced displacement or indentured servitude to biometric surveillance and re-education.

    Finally, they break down why Canada's Prime Minister decided to acknowledge the truth about the so-called "rules-based order" and whether Washington will ever let go of its favorite myths about American foreign policy.

    ###
    Why is America seemingly always at war? Join the Quincy Institute’s Courtney Rawlings and Alex Jordan as they expose the monied interests, outdated ideologies, and entrenched powers that have driven the U.S. to wage nearly 400 wars and interventions.

    They’ll be joined by journalists, advocates, and experts to uncover who profits from America’s endless conflicts, and to imagine how we can build a better, more peaceful U.S. foreign policy.

    Learn more about the Quincy Institute: quincyinst.org
    Contact the show: alwaysatwar@quincyinst.org

    Show art by Justin Hantz

    ###
    Quincy Institute is an independent, nonprofit think tank.
    Help fund our research: https://quincyinst.org/donations/
    Read our reporting: https://ResponsibleStatecraft.org
    Twitter: https://x.com/QuincyInst
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/quincyinst
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quincyinst
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com//quincyinst
    Website: https://quincyinst.org

    Show More Show Less
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