Skip to content Skip to footer

Sections

Trending

Latest

More

© 2025 Truthout

War and the Tragedy of the Commons

In this seven-part series of articles on each environmental impact of US militarism, scientist and author Patricia Hynes provides an overview of modern, military pollution and the use of natural resources with a central focus on the US military superpower, a power without precedent or competitor. From Superfund and former nuclear weapons sites in the US to Vieques, Agent Orange, depleted uranium – particularly in Iraq – biowarfare research and the use of fossil fuels in routine military training and wars, Hynes examines the war machine as the true tragedy of the commons. -TO/lt War and the Tragedy of the Commons, Part 7: The Military Assault on Global Climate

By

As we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation, your support is urgently needed. Please make a year-end gift to Truthout today.

In this seven-part series of articles on each environmental impact of US militarism, scientist and author Patricia Hynes provides an overview of modern, military pollution and the use of natural resources with a central focus on the US military superpower, a power without precedent or competitor. From Superfund and former nuclear weapons sites in the US to Vieques, Agent Orange, depleted uranium – particularly in Iraq – biowarfare research and the use of fossil fuels in routine military training and wars, Hynes examines the war machine as the true tragedy of the commons. -TO/lt

War and the Tragedy of the Commons, Part 7: The Military Assault on Global Climate

War and the Tragedy of the Commons, Part 6: Landmines and Cluster Bombs: “Weapons of Mass Destruction in Slow Motion”

War and the Tragedy of the Commons, Part 5: Depleted Uranium Weapon Use Persists, Despite Deadly Side Effects

War and the Tragedy of the Commons, Part 4: Biological Weapons: Bargaining with the Devil

War and the Tragedy of the Commons: Part 3: Chemical Warfare: Agent Orange

War and the Tragedy of the Commons, Part 2: Military Hazardous Waste Sickens Land and People

War and the True Tragedy of the Commons: Part 1

Our most important fundraising appeal of the year

December is the most critical time of year for Truthout, because our nonprofit news is funded almost entirely by individual donations from readers like you. So before you navigate away, we ask that you take just a second to support Truthout with a tax-deductible donation.

This year is a little different. We are up against a far-reaching, wide-scale attack on press freedom coming from the Trump administration. 2025 was a year of frightening censorship, news industry corporate consolidation, and worsening financial conditions for progressive nonprofits across the board.

We can only resist Trump’s agenda by cultivating a strong base of support. The right-wing mediasphere is funded comfortably by billionaire owners and venture capitalist philanthropists. At Truthout, we have you.

We’ve set an ambitious target for our year-end campaign — a goal of $180,000 to keep up our fight against authoritarianism in 2026. Please take a meaningful action in this fight: make a one-time or monthly donation to Truthout before December 31. If you have the means, please dig deep.