In September 2015, General Martin Dempsey retired from the US Army after more than four decades in uniform. Commissioned as an armor officer following his graduation from West Point, he served in both the Gulf War and the Iraq war and eventually rose to become chief of staff of the US Army and then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He spoke with Foreign Affairs’ editor, Gideon Rose, in June.

"Notes from the Chairman" is from the September/October 2016 issue of Foreign Affairs.