Elliot Ackerman

Elliot Ackerman

Elliot Ackerman is a New York Times bestselling author, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, former Marine, and Senior Fellow at Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs. His work explores war, politics, technology, democracy, and the human condition through fiction, journalism, and public commentary.

Episodes

  1. Aug 20

    Elliot Ackerman on BBC News: The USS Abraham Lincoln, the Iran War, and the Civil-Military Divide

    Elliot Ackerman joins BBC World Service’s Outside Source to discuss conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, the war with Iran, and the growing divide between America’s military and civilian population. Drawing on his experience as a Marine and his own deployments at sea, Ackerman discusses the demands placed on sailors and Marines during extended deployments and the particular strain facing the USS Abraham Lincoln after months at sea and sustained combat operations. The conversation also examines the broader trajectory of the war with Iran. Ackerman argues that concerns about the welfare of service members should be separated from legitimate criticism of U.S. strategy, including the lack of a coherent path toward ending the conflict and Iran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as economic and political leverage. He also discusses how Iran may be attempting to exploit American political timelines, including the 2026 midterm elections, and why the civil-military divide can make it difficult for the broader public to understand the realities of military service during wartime. This BBC interview follows Ackerman’s essay for The Free Press, “The Cynical Coverage of Conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.” Topics: USS Abraham Lincoln, Iran war, U.S. military, military mental health, civil-military relations, Strait of Hormuz, U.S. foreign policy, 2026 midterm elections Recorded August 19, 2026.

About

Elliot Ackerman is a New York Times bestselling author, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, former Marine, and Senior Fellow at Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs. His work explores war, politics, technology, democracy, and the human condition through fiction, journalism, and public commentary.