Irregular Army

Matt Kennard is an investigative journalist. Born and brought up in London, he has worked as a staff writer for the Financial Times in the US and UK and was a fellow then director at the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) in London. He also co-founded Declassified UK, an outlet investigating British foreign policy. He is the author of three books: Irregular Army, Silent Coup, and The Racket.

“One of our finest investigative journalists illuminates the terrifying machinery of our ascendant authoritarian state. Essential.”—Chris Hedges“A necessary corrective to patriotic bromides about the troops, and a bracing exposé of the declining quality of personnel serving in America’s all-volunteer army in an era of endless war.”—Seth Harp“A powerful wake-up call. Time is running out.”—Lawrence B. Wilkerson, former chief of staff to US secretary of State Colin Powell“Exposes the growth of extremist elements within the world’s most lethal killing machine . . . a warning cry.”—Jeremy Scahill“Couldn’t be more urgent.”—Huffington Post“Chilling . . . Illuminating . . . Kennard’s nonpartisan portrait of martial waywardness is foreboding.”—Publishers Weekly“Kennard demonstrates a serious weakness in America’s ability to recruit a long- or even medium-term occupying force.”—The American Conservative“Essential reading for understanding the processes by which this decaying, belligerent empire has gradually succumbed to neofascism.”—Tribune“Exposes both the roots of defective military recruitment and its deadly aftershocks.”—Daryl Johnson, former senior domestic terrorism analyst, Department of Homeland Security“Required reading—a compelling explanation for the clear and present danger facing America.”—Thomas Drake, whistleblower and former executive, US National Security Agency“A devastating critique of the recruitment policies of our major ally . . . Kennard’s indictment is persuasive.”—The Independent“Chilling in its prescience.”—Spencer Ackerman“Seminal.”—Matthew Hoh