The year 2011 marked a critical confluence of militarism and revolution, not only in places like Libya and Egypt, but also here at home, where massive demonstrations in cities and towns throughout the country were met with a well-oiled law enforcement machine deployed in camouflage and Kevlar, lobbing tear gas grenades and packing rifles with rubber bullets.

How many times have we heard that the United States cannot abandon Afghanistan to the mercy of armed militias and thugs like we did in 1989?

So, why, pray tell, are we doing it?

LOLA's Karen Kwiatkowski, a retired USAF lieutenant colonel, spoke in NYC on

Kelley B. Vlahos of the LOLA Board of Directors debutes her new series, Meet the Empire Watchdogs at Antiwar.com.  Kelley interviews POGO's Danielle Brian.

Can Americans of all political persuasions unify to end war and empire?