On December 23, Atlantic Council nonresident senior fellow and Future of DHS Project director Thomas S. Warrick published an article in the Hill titled “Pentagon must act to prevent extremist recruitment of unvaxxed service members.” In the article, Warrick and co-author Javed Ali argue that, while unvaccinated US servicemembers poses a threat to military readiness, requiring vaccinations could potentially outcast unwilling military personnel and leave them susceptible to extremist recruitment.
Individuals who joined the military did so out of patriotism and loyalty to the country, and many who hesitated to get vaccinated nevertheless did so when the order went out.
Forward Defense leads the Atlantic Council’s US and global defense programming, developing actionable recommendations for the United States and its allies and partners to compete, innovate, and navigate the rapidly evolving character of warfare. Through its work on US defense policy and force design, the military applications of advanced technology, space security, strategic deterrence, and defense industrial revitalization, it informs the strategies, policies, and capabilities that the United States will need to deter, and, if necessary, prevail in major-power conflict.
