THE STEADY STATE Statement on U.S. Attack of Iran

PDF AVAILABLE HERE THE STEADY STATE Statement on U.S. Attack of Iran February 28, 2026 – The reported U.S. attack on Iran marks one of the most consequential national security decisions in recent years. It demands sober scrutiny — not reflexive celebration, not partisan instinct, but constitutional seriousness. At the outset, we state clearly our […]

The Steady State Sentinel – Exciting Update

With thanks to all of our listeners who have supported The Steady State Sentinel through our launch, we are excited to announce that we are transitioning to Video! We kick off on Tuesday, March 3 when you are warmly invited to tune in to listen to —and watch— our hosts here on Substack, Apple, YouTube […]

Steady State Ask Me Anything 7pm ET Feb 26

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Trump, Big Talker, Pitiful Leader, Playing With Fire

Once again, the President of the United States is contemplating the use of American military might overseas and has prepared an enormous force for attack, this time on Iran. And yet once again, despite the seriousness of doing so, he has not consulted Congress, explained to the American people why such a step might be […]

Loyalty in Crisis: Civil-Military Tensions in the Second Trump Presidency

As the Trump administration continues to prepare for armed conflict against Iran, the following article co-authored by The Steady State member Robert Bruce Adolph and published in Small Wars Journal remains very relevant. Abstract This article examines the growing tensions between constitutional loyalty and presidential authority in the second administration of Donald J. Trump, particularly […]

The Steady State Sentinel Episode 14: An Apolitical FBI is Vital to National Security

Episode overview Over the past few years, many Americans have started asking whether they can still trust the FBI. Host Lauren C. Anderson frames that question as “not a partisan question” but “a democratic one,” arguing that the Bureau’s credibility depends on discipline, restraint, and staying out of politics—grounded in process, evidence, and the rule […]

Episode Summary: Why Trust in the FBI Matters

Coming Tomorrow, Episode 14, The Steady State Sentinel Podcast: “Why Trust in the FBI Matters”

Host Lauren Anderson interviews three former Senior FBI Officials about the FBI’s value to society and the damage caused by its politicization. Listen here or Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts! Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 390 former senior national security professionals. Our membership […]

Damaged Goods

“The world has entered a period of wrecking-ball politics,” began the Munich Security Report 2026, setting the stage as the world’s national security elites convened in the vibrant southern German city some 30 miles north of the Bavarian Alps. “Sweeping destruction — rather than careful reforms and policy corrections — is the order of the […]

Should the military be expected to have to say “no” to civilian authority?

George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, was the first President of the United States. In addition to setting the tradition of two terms for the American presidency, George Washington established the norm of civilian control of the military before he even became president. On March 15, 1783, the officers under his command met to […]