This article summarizes a discussion between journalist Chris Hedges and investigative reporter Matt Kennard about the long-term political and social consequences of the War on Terror in the United States.

Drawing on Kennard’s book “Irregular Army,” the conversation argues that policies and cultural shifts following 9/11 contributed to conditions that enabled the rise of Donald Trump and the broader normalization of far-right ideologies.

Kennard highlights several structural changes, including expanded state powers under the Patriot Act, the strengthening of executive authority, and relaxed military recruitment standards.

According to his research, these developments coincided with an influx of individuals with extremist views into the armed forces, some of whom reportedly sought military training to prepare for future ideological conflict within the U.S.

The discussion also points to alleged failures in accountability for misconduct during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the psychological toll of combat, including widespread PTSD, as factors that may have exacerbated radicalization and instability.

The interview further claims that elements of nationalism, racism, and authoritarian tendencies have become more visible and, in some cases, normalized in political and institutional spaces.

Hedges and Kennard express concern that these trends could intensify, though they note that a lack of unified strategy among political elites may limit how far such developments go.Overall, the piece presents a critical interpretation of recent U.S.history, arguing that the War on Terror not only reshaped foreign policy but also had deep domestic consequences that continue to influence the country’s political landscape.