US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked a debate over the name of the Department of Defense by suggesting a return to its historical title, the Department of War. Conducting an online poll, Hegseth sought public opinion on whether the department’s current name accurately reflects its purpose. The poll quickly gained traction, drawing the attention of over 160,000 respondents. Notably, more than half supported the idea of a name change. Among those weighing in was billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who shared the poll and remarked that “War is more accurate.”

The origins of the Department of Defense trace back to the Department of War, which operated under that title for nearly 160 years. Established in 1789, it was responsible for military operations and national defense. However, the landscape of global conflict changed dramatically in the aftermath of World War II, prompting a structural and strategic reassessment of the US military.

In 1947, the Department of War merged with the Department of the Navy under the newly enacted National Security Act. This move was aimed at streamlining military coordination and improving national security strategy. Two years later, in 1949, the Department of Defense was formally established, absorbing the functions of the War Department and marking a shift in how the United States framed its military engagements.

The discussion surrounding the name change has sparked broader conversations about the nature of US military policy. The term “Defense” suggests a primarily protective role, yet critics argue that America’s military interventions over the past several decades have been anything but defensive. The United States has engaged in numerous conflicts across the world, including prolonged wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as military operations in Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia. According to a........

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