The American Legion [Volume 186, No. 2 (February 2019)]

A Whittled 'Big Stick': For effective gunboat diplomacy, America needs to rebuild its arsenal. By Alan W. Dowd -- The New Dominoes: Former U.S. allies in Southeast Asia are falling not to communism, but to hard-line authoritarianism. By Ben Barber -- The Definition of Americanism: American Legion founders believed they had a duty to spread understanding and love of country. By Jeff Stoffer -- 'An Incredible Honor': Artist Chris Costello's coin design is a nod to The American Legion's Paris origins. -- Regular features: Vet Voice, Commander's Message, I Am The American Legion, Big Issues, Living Well, Travel, Veterans Update, Rapid Fire, Comrades, Parting Shots -- On the cover: The aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman conducts a replenishment-at-sea Dec. 5, after more than three months in the Arctic Ocean, and Norwegian, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. In 2018, the Truman carrier strike group deployed to key waters to send a message to Iran, Russia and U.S. allies. Learn how the United States uses gunboat diplomacy on Page 22. Photo credit: U.S. Navy