Tag Archives: civil war

White Paper: Samuel Ryan Curtis as a Political and Military General in the American Civil War

Posted on December 18, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Samuel Ryan Curtis (1805–1866) was one of the most unusual Union generals of the Civil War: an engineer, a West Point graduate, a three-term Congressman, a military administrator, and the victor of the strategically important Battle of Pea … Continue reading →

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Command Ambiguity and Operational Friction: The Negative Effects of Robert E. Lee’s Vague Orders on the Army of Northern Virginia

Posted on December 13, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary This white paper examines the operational consequences of General Robert E. Lee’s habitual use of vague, discretionary orders within the Army of Northern Virginia (ANV), particularly during the middle and late phases of the American Civil War. While … Continue reading →

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A Republic Reoriented: What If Publius Rutilius Lupus Survived the Social War and Marius Never Returned to Power? A Counterfactual Historical Essay

Posted on November 26, 2025 by nathanalbright

Introduction: A Pivotal Decade of Roman Instability Few periods in Roman history were as structurally fragile as the decade spanning the Social War (91–88 BCE), the rise of Sulla, and the blood-soaked Marian reprisals of 87–86 BCE. The conflict, which … Continue reading →

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White Paper: A Typology of Fatal Crises for Republics

Posted on November 6, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Throughout history, republics—states claiming governance by the consent of citizens rather than by hereditary monarchy—have exhibited remarkable creativity and resilience, yet have also shown recurring patterns of self-destruction. This white paper develops a typology of fatal crises that … Continue reading →

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White Paper: Sudan’s Civil War (2023–present): Tactical & Strategic Assessment, Scenarios, and the Likelihood of Victory or Partition

Posted on October 29, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive summary Sudan’s war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF, led by Mohamed “Hemedti” Dagalo) has hardened into a multi-front conflict with heavy foreign involvement, catastrophic humanitarian conditions, … Continue reading →

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White Paper: Paramilitary Forces of the Contemporary American Left: A Shadow Militancy in the Age of Polarization

Posted on October 17, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary The rise of paramilitary forces on the American political fringes has long been associated with right-wing extremism, from the Oath Keepers to the Proud Boys. Yet, a parallel development on the left has garnered less scrutiny: decentralized networks … Continue reading →

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White Paper: The Yemen Conflict: Deep Divides, Complex Dynamics, and Paths Toward Peace

Posted on September 23, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Yemen’s civil war is a multifaceted conflict rooted in historical, political, economic, and regional divides. The conflict involves multiple internal actors (Houthis, the internationally recognized government, Southern separatists, tribal/local authorities, extremist groups) and external powers (Saudi Arabia, UAE, … Continue reading →

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White Paper: The Early Political Speeches of Abraham Lincoln: Foundations of Statesmanship

Posted on September 8, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Abraham Lincoln’s early political speeches—delivered before his presidency—reveal the contours of his moral philosophy, political prudence, and rhetorical style. Among these, the Temperance Address (1842) and the Lyceum Address on the Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions (1838) stand … Continue reading →

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Preface: The Elusive Spark

Posted on March 4, 2025 by nathanalbright

I wanted to share something I am working on, to see what you all think of it. Dear readers, let me know what you think about this: When does a war begin? The question seems simple enough, yet history teaches … Continue reading →

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DOGE And The Logistics Of The Cold Civil War

Posted on March 3, 2025 by nathanalbright

The notion of a “cold” civil war in the United States typically refers to a deep, non-violent ideological divide characterized by political polarization, cultural clashes, and competing visions for the nation’s future. Denying government grants and funding to left-wing causes, … Continue reading →

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