To the editor: The question of why we’re spending billions for arms marks a defining issue over what our country actually is (“Billions for weapons, rather than troops, won’t make us safer,” July 22).

Tracking the unwarranted influence -- Intellectual origins -- War, peace, and Eisenhower -- Eisenhower's contentious second term -- The speech -- Interpretations and embellishments -- In full fury -- ...

In deciding what to do in Afghanistan, President Obama faces more than the question of how many troops. It's the clout of the military in a society where the civilian government is supposed to be in ...