The Un-Diplomatic Podcast Peace Activism, the Iraq War, and the New Militarism w/ David Cortright | Ep. 286
Feb 13, 2026
David Cortright, peace activist and scholar who co-founded Win Without War, shares an oral history of antiwar movements. He traces activism from Vietnam to SANE and the Iraq protests. He explores how grassroots pressure shaped policy, the rise of militarism, and the need for a new generation of peace activism linked to democracy and justice.
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From Army Band To Lifelong Activist
- David Cortright joined the Army Band to avoid frontline service and then became a peace activist after learning the realities of Vietnam.
- He protested while on active duty, had an iconic Richard Avedon photo, and committed his life to opposing war and militarism.
Grassroots Membership Equals Political Power
- Cortright argues mass membership creates political leverage because elected officials respond to constituents.
- Building grassroots membership and canvassing turned SANE into a force lawmakers could not ignore.
Why The Freeze Movement Broke Through
- The Nuclear Freeze succeeded because it was simple, bilateral, and broadly framed to avoid red-baiting.
- Religious institutions and local ballot initiatives amplified the freeze into a nationwide grassroots movement.
