This novel is a tour-de-force about endurance, survival, transformation, and rebirth. Washington and his Continental Army, against all odds, will be forged into a fighting force that will win a revolution.

On Thursday, the Pentagon will begin detailing its plans to cut $500 billion from the military's budget over the next decade. The reason, insists President Barack Obama, is that "since 9/11, our defense budget grew at an extraordinary pace." That's true in top-line numbers—but it's anything but true when examined strategically.

Inspired by the Pakistani role model, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is transforming Iran into a military dictatorship, where the IRGC is not only constitutionally tasked with "safeguarding the revolution and its achievements," but also rules Iran.

As the United States continues its defense cuts—even as U.S. forces are still in harm’s way around the world in places like Afghanistan—many in Washington and across America are scratching their heads, wondering why this is a problem.

If President Obama is serious about restoring ROTC's geographic and cultural balance, he will have to be willing to advocate for--and authorize--the necessary resources.

Understandably, the country wants its elected representatives to address the nation's fiscal crisis. But in doing so, will it be creating a crisis on the national security front?

Our military, including its leadership, should reflect that we as a nation are at war, which is healthy for our Armed Forces and for the civic life of our country.

Defense is the one government activity that Obama has no qualms about cutting.The path charted by the president is morally and strategically unsound. The House leadership will have to decide whether to accept Obama's new proposed cuts or fight back.