War can’t be separated from discussions of authoritarianism. War breeds authoritarianism. It expands authoritarian power even in democracies. It destroys democratic institutions and disempowers citizens. The very structure of authoritarianism is in many ways militaristic.

The second I attack in Civ II is always when my game and my civilization grind to a halt. Always.

20+ years of pitiless conflict that we've inflicted on the rest of the world. You could say the US is primed for it.