"The Pentagon Papers Revisited: Legacy and Lessons in Transparency and Truth" by Scott Lyons
Studying the Pentagon Papers remains relevant today, as there are ongoing concerns about transparency and honesty from the current administration in the U.S. Pundits and analysts have shown Joe Biden and members of his administration of not being forthright and honest with Congress and the American public on critical policy decisions and issues adversely affecting domestic security and public safety, drawing comparisons to the lack of transparency revealed by the Pentagon Papers about the Johnson administration's handling of the Vietnam War. While the contexts differ, the underlying issues of government accountability, truthfulness, and the public's right to know are pertinent in both cases. The Pentagon Papers, one of history's most pivotal leaks, underscores a haunting reality: the often chasmic disconnect between government rhetoric and reality, particularly in times of war. The transparency brought forth by the unprecedented release of the Pentagon Papers reshaped public discourse…
Read more…