Two Senators differ. No to intervention in Syria, I say. I cannot see a clear and pressing national interest. Let the Turks and the Israelis decide what to do, and we can lend help. I have no problem with some covert support, (and I don’t mean sending the Marine from the VMI class of ’87, ha ha ha). I do believe we need to keep an eye on the more vicious elements there, be prepared to take steps to deny them larger advantages and wait for any opportunities to strike them and their Iranian allies. But I cannot support any [...]
More From Ricks on Mattis
More; a lot more. Here are two points out of several: In his dealings with the White House, Mattis also tried to change the strategic framework, insisting that we need to plan not just for what we assumed Iran might do, but also for what Iran was capable of doing. I am told this was not a welcome thought. The Mattis-Donilon disagreements weren’t just about Iran. Other issues on which Mattis was pushing the White House to think deeper and harder, I am told, were “Afghanistan, concerns about Pakistani stability, [and] response to the Arab spring.” Read and think. What [...]
Mattis Being Pushed Out?
By way of ETP0802, “Report: Obama administration may push Mattis out.” Last month, President Obama nominated Gen. Lloyd Austin to succeed Gen. James Mattis as the head of U.S. Central Command. The choice and its timing immediately raised questions about Mattis’ future, particularly given his standing as one of the most revered military leaders of his generation. Mattis was typically stoic when I approached him for a response. “I’ll remain focused on my job at CENTCOM for now and figure out the rest later,” he said in an email. U.S. military officials have speculated for months that Mattis could leave [...]
Ricks in Leesburg at the George C. Marshall House
Having just finished, and been deeply impressed by The Generals, I was glad that “Wang” tossed this our way about T. Ricks’ upcoming tour: Sunday, Feb. 24 — George Marshall house, Leesburg, Va. I pass it all the time but have never visited it. Might be a good excuse to go. (Within walking distance are two of my favorite haunts, here and here.)
Syria: What Next?
This report shows ominous developments. As recently as Tuesday, officials had said there was as yet no evidence that the process of mixing the “precursor” chemicals had begun. But Wednesday, they said their worst fears had been confirmed: The nerve agents were locked and loaded inside the bombs. If a chem attack inside Syria occurs, what will Our President (PBUH) do? What will Israel do? And Turkey? What will be the ripple effects across the Mid East? Which actors will be emboldened, and which restrained? We might not be interested in another war in the Arab world, but sadly war [...]
Sic Transit Pax Americana
I can’t even conjure up any black humor. Well, we voted for it. It was purchased at great cost; the aftermath will cost us yet more. Wait, wait– here’s a fitting slogan: FORWARD!
“The B61 Bomb: A Case Study in Costs and Needs”
Yet more good news from the defense front. They cannibalize spare B61s for parts, such as the vacuum tubes needed to keep the radars working on active bombs. If they don’t have spares, they track down outdated machines to manufacture the components themselves, as they did when they bought a machine to produce integrated circuits. What’s that again on deep defense cuts? And after seeing some of the images on the news, you think we might need these things in working condition??
“Not to be intimidated. Not to be rushed. Time is on our side.”
“Big Zbig’” says not so fast: Former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski warns Newsmax.TV that a confrontation with Iran would be disastrous for the United States, lasting for years and possibly devastating America’s economy. “A war in the Middle East, in the present context, may last for years,” Brzezinski, who served in the Carter White House [not noted for its wildly successful foreign policies], tells Newsmax in an exclusive interview. “And the economic consequences of it are going to be devastating for the average American. May last for years. Or for minutes, depending on what kind of war it is. [...]
“Islamic Militants Bloody US Forces In Big Army Wargame”
This is full of interesting things. What should the takeaways be? Are we paying attention? How much stock should we put in wargames? Commentary, please.
Hoss Unloads
Apparently, the Air Force ain’t the only ones having a bad week: The Pentagon should brace for another $250 billion or more in cuts even if sequestration does not occur and must revolutionize how and what it buys, warned Hoss Cartwright, former vice-chairman of the Joint Staff, in a speech that savaged sacred cows from the Joint Strike Fighter to cybersecurity to the AirSea Battle concept. “We just took a $480-some billion reduction” in the current budget proposal, Cartwright said at the annual Joint Warfighting Conference hosted by the US Naval Institute and the industry group AFCEA. (Click here for [...]
