William S. Lind: Regression. And degeneration?
Affect/Effect? Now you know.
Lebanon Crisis: Unrestricted Warfare rediscovered. Fun for the whole family.
Definition of the Day: Defeatism.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Good News?
Al-Qaeda (and US) eclipsed by rise of Iran. Is this good news? Iran let their hostages go.
Iran TV debate challenge to Bush. No publicity is bad publicity.
A meeting of civilisations: The mystery of China's celtic mummies. They found the Miserable Failure's Brains. (Followed by this Miserable Failure and this Miserable Failure.) No publicity is bad publicity.
Definition of the Day: Ultimatum.
Iran TV debate challenge to Bush. No publicity is bad publicity.
A meeting of civilisations: The mystery of China's celtic mummies. They found the Miserable Failure's Brains. (Followed by this Miserable Failure and this Miserable Failure.) No publicity is bad publicity.
Definition of the Day: Ultimatum.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Economic Warfare
Shia militia engages army in gun battle. Guess who won?
Is the Empire Striking Back? The "Lobby" ain't what it thought it was.
Fresh blast hits Turkish resorts. Economic warfare.
Definition of the Day: Unix.
Is the Empire Striking Back? The "Lobby" ain't what it thought it was.
Fresh blast hits Turkish resorts. Economic warfare.
Definition of the Day: Unix.
Friday, August 25, 2006
No Surprises
Playing politics while America and Iraq crumble. No surprises.
Italian FM: Harsh U.S. approach to Mideast failed. Waning US influence.
Lebanon and the Neo-Con End Game. They aren't called Cons for nothing.
Definition of the Day: Unemployed.
Italian FM: Harsh U.S. approach to Mideast failed. Waning US influence.
Lebanon and the Neo-Con End Game. They aren't called Cons for nothing.
Definition of the Day: Unemployed.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Anomaly
William S. Lind: Beginning to Learn. I'm presently hearing my dog chew on his ass. He can learn. "Can an institution that is controlled by big money learn as well?" I asked my on seeing the headline for this article. I then read an excerpt from a manual being jointly developed by the US Army and US Marines called "FM 3-24/FMFM 3-24, Counterinsurgency:"
A-8. Work the problem collectively with subordinate leaders. Discuss ideas and explore possible solutions. Once all understand the situation, seek a consensus on how to address it. If this sounds un-military, get over it. Such discussions help subordinates understand the commander’s intentÂ. Corporals and privates will have to make quick decisions that may result in actions with strategic implications. Such circumstances require a shared situational understanding and a leadership climate that encourages subordinates to assess the situation, act on it, and accept responsibility for their actions. Employing mission command is essential in this environment.
Maybe they coulsucceeded in changing parts of their culture. The rest of the government is another matter.
Lind Continues:
"But the draft does hold two surprises. The first is a remarkable discussion, in the first chapter, of the Paradoxes of Counterinsurgency.” This is a clear break with Second Generation thinking, which acknowledges only problems and solutions (the latter always kinetic). The paradoxes include The More You Protect Your Force, The Less Secure You Are;” “ The More Force Used, The Less Effective It Is;“Sometimes Doing Nothing Is The Best Reaction;The Best Weapons For COIN Do Not Shoot; and “Tactical Success Guarantees Nothing.” The parallels here to the Austro-Hungarian FMFM 1-A, Fourth Generation War, [232 KB MS Word document] are clear and suggest someone has read it, although it is not listed in the bibliography (NIH again?). By the Pleistocene standards of American doctrine development, this is breathtaking progress.
The second surprise is less happy. As is to be expected, the manual draws heavily on the ongoing American experience in Iraq. While occasionally suggesting that mistakes have been made (Programs should be developed to prevent the formation of a class of impoverished and disgruntled former officers and soldiers who have lost their livelihood), it often prescribes more of what we are now doing. Uh, excuse me guys, but most of what we are doing is not working. Perhaps we will not be able to confront that fact until the Iraq war is over, but a field manual that does not confront it cannot be more than a way station along the road we must eventually travel to its bitter end.
A remarkable historical vignette on page 4-1 of the draft does recognize, between the lines, what that end will be. Titled Napoleon in Spain,” it reads in part,
Napoleons campaign included a rapid conventional victory over Spanish armies but ignored the immediate requirement to provide a stable and secure environment for the people and the countryside.
The French should have expected ferocious resistance. The Spanish people were accustomed to hardship, suspicious of foreigners, and constantly involved in skirmishes with security forces. The French failed to analyze the history, culture, and motivations of the Spanish people, or to seriously consider their potential to support or hinder the achievement of French political objectives. Napoleon’s cultural miscalculation resulted in a protracted struggle The Spanish resistance drained the EmpireÂ’s resources and was the beginning of the end of NapoleonÂ’s reign.
Sound familiar?"
Perhaps, this manual, which is a very rare example of intra-governmental cooporation (never mind the military)? I could speculate that, at least some within, these two branches know that they are going down with the rest of the ship. A protracted struggle in Iraq will ruin this country. Their mission may become domestic. They do not appear to be thinking about Iraq. They may not be allowed to write anything meaningful. It would appear to be a good sign; in internal US affairs, the military is a balance to the police state. They may be serious about their oath.
A question:
particularitymilitary, particularily the Marines, appear to be the only institutions left that produce intellectual curiosity? Everyone else is an anomaly.
A-8. Work the problem collectively with subordinate leaders. Discuss ideas and explore possible solutions. Once all understand the situation, seek a consensus on how to address it. If this sounds un-military, get over it. Such discussions help subordinates understand the commander’s intentÂ. Corporals and privates will have to make quick decisions that may result in actions with strategic implications. Such circumstances require a shared situational understanding and a leadership climate that encourages subordinates to assess the situation, act on it, and accept responsibility for their actions. Employing mission command is essential in this environment.
Maybe they coulsucceeded in changing parts of their culture. The rest of the government is another matter.
Lind Continues:
"But the draft does hold two surprises. The first is a remarkable discussion, in the first chapter, of the Paradoxes of Counterinsurgency.” This is a clear break with Second Generation thinking, which acknowledges only problems and solutions (the latter always kinetic). The paradoxes include The More You Protect Your Force, The Less Secure You Are;” “ The More Force Used, The Less Effective It Is;“Sometimes Doing Nothing Is The Best Reaction;The Best Weapons For COIN Do Not Shoot; and “Tactical Success Guarantees Nothing.” The parallels here to the Austro-Hungarian FMFM 1-A, Fourth Generation War, [232 KB MS Word document] are clear and suggest someone has read it, although it is not listed in the bibliography (NIH again?). By the Pleistocene standards of American doctrine development, this is breathtaking progress.
The second surprise is less happy. As is to be expected, the manual draws heavily on the ongoing American experience in Iraq. While occasionally suggesting that mistakes have been made (Programs should be developed to prevent the formation of a class of impoverished and disgruntled former officers and soldiers who have lost their livelihood), it often prescribes more of what we are now doing. Uh, excuse me guys, but most of what we are doing is not working. Perhaps we will not be able to confront that fact until the Iraq war is over, but a field manual that does not confront it cannot be more than a way station along the road we must eventually travel to its bitter end.
A remarkable historical vignette on page 4-1 of the draft does recognize, between the lines, what that end will be. Titled Napoleon in Spain,” it reads in part,
Napoleons campaign included a rapid conventional victory over Spanish armies but ignored the immediate requirement to provide a stable and secure environment for the people and the countryside.
The French should have expected ferocious resistance. The Spanish people were accustomed to hardship, suspicious of foreigners, and constantly involved in skirmishes with security forces. The French failed to analyze the history, culture, and motivations of the Spanish people, or to seriously consider their potential to support or hinder the achievement of French political objectives. Napoleon’s cultural miscalculation resulted in a protracted struggle The Spanish resistance drained the EmpireÂ’s resources and was the beginning of the end of NapoleonÂ’s reign.
Sound familiar?"
Perhaps, this manual, which is a very rare example of intra-governmental cooporation (never mind the military)? I could speculate that, at least some within, these two branches know that they are going down with the rest of the ship. A protracted struggle in Iraq will ruin this country. Their mission may become domestic. They do not appear to be thinking about Iraq. They may not be allowed to write anything meaningful. It would appear to be a good sign; in internal US affairs, the military is a balance to the police state. They may be serious about their oath.
A question:
particularitymilitary, particularily the Marines, appear to be the only institutions left that produce intellectual curiosity? Everyone else is an anomaly.
Monday, August 21, 2006
No Change
Interim report finds failures in preparing home front for war. A country of veterans does not take failure through incompetence lightly or lying down.
The new creative destruction. Preferable to al Qaida. Respect v. Fear is a spectrum.
World War 4 Report: Somalia: Washington's Warlords Lose out. No change. A friend of East African origin told me that his Somali friend was afraid to go back, because Somalia lacked a government. He asked, "Did you every see the government when you were there?"
His friend replied, "No."
"So what has changed?"
Definition of the Day: Urban.
The new creative destruction. Preferable to al Qaida. Respect v. Fear is a spectrum.
World War 4 Report: Somalia: Washington's Warlords Lose out. No change. A friend of East African origin told me that his Somali friend was afraid to go back, because Somalia lacked a government. He asked, "Did you every see the government when you were there?"
His friend replied, "No."
"So what has changed?"
Definition of the Day: Urban.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Boycott
Israeli stoners boycott Hezbollah hash. It amazes me that the lazy mainstream media refuses to pick up on the fact that Hezbollah is a major player in the Lebanese hash trade. The money being used to rebuild Lebanon isn't coming from Iran, it's coming from Europe. Hezbollah, we are told, was freely given Iranian Aide (in a monetary sense). Why would this be done? I believe it's a combination of factors:
1. Laziness. It's easier to blame Iran than investigate drug lords.
2. The main stream media are smoking lots of the stuff (or booze or pills).
3. Nobody wants to admit how powerful drug lords and/or non-stage armies have become.
4. It's the future, and they are afraid of it.
5. The US can't afford to be militarily defeated in the war on drugs.
1. Laziness. It's easier to blame Iran than investigate drug lords.
2. The main stream media are smoking lots of the stuff (or booze or pills).
3. Nobody wants to admit how powerful drug lords and/or non-stage armies have become.
4. It's the future, and they are afraid of it.
5. The US can't afford to be militarily defeated in the war on drugs.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Come To Terms Or Else!
William S. Lind: Beat! Come to terms with the new 4GW world or else.
Judge's ruling may provide grounds to impeach Bush. Only if the rest of the scum can be taken down with him will impeachment mean anything.
Bush: It could take time for world to view war as a Hezbollah loss. Pathetic words from a pathetic loser.
Definition of the Day: Underclass.
Judge's ruling may provide grounds to impeach Bush. Only if the rest of the scum can be taken down with him will impeachment mean anything.
Bush: It could take time for world to view war as a Hezbollah loss. Pathetic words from a pathetic loser.
Definition of the Day: Underclass.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Jumping the Gun?
Global Guerrillas: Al Qaeda's Achilles Heel: Residual Hierarchy. Is their failure to pull off their latest attack also due to jumping the gun? Al Qaeda must be very nervous about Hezbollah's success.
Reservists: Officers stopped us from attending anti-war protest. "Some 160 infantry reserve soldiers are accusing their commanders of preventing them from participating in a demonstration against the war in Lebanon, which they called a "debacle." The soldiers said they had been used as "sitting ducks." Nobody's tool.
Uri Averney: From Mania to Depression. Typical insanity.
Definition of the Day: Uncle.
Reservists: Officers stopped us from attending anti-war protest. "Some 160 infantry reserve soldiers are accusing their commanders of preventing them from participating in a demonstration against the war in Lebanon, which they called a "debacle." The soldiers said they had been used as "sitting ducks." Nobody's tool.
Uri Averney: From Mania to Depression. Typical insanity.
Definition of the Day: Uncle.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Not Western
ZenPundit: Islamists VS. "Islamofascists." It's not a Western Ideology (or a variant like Maoism). Ignore the difference at your peril.
Amid the bombs, unity is forged. Swelling support.
Hezbollah describes itself as Islamic "Revivalists" as opposed to Islamic "Fundamentalists." I see the difference thus: Revivalists set up a big tent with music and a show to persuade you how much fun their religion can be; Fundamentalists would rather force you to join. Hence, the various sects in Lebanon are naturally less threatened. A Revivalists believes you will come around in the end. If one doesn't, there is no real consequences. Fundamentalists prefer oppression and repression. If a Revivalist can deliver the goods, the masses will move away from the Fundamentalist. It's obvious which archetype is preferable. Perhaps, that partially explains Peretz: Hezbollah had been IDF's bottom priority?
Bush is crap, says Prescott. The comparison is an insult to turds.
Definition of the Day: Ulcer.
Amid the bombs, unity is forged. Swelling support.
Hezbollah describes itself as Islamic "Revivalists" as opposed to Islamic "Fundamentalists." I see the difference thus: Revivalists set up a big tent with music and a show to persuade you how much fun their religion can be; Fundamentalists would rather force you to join. Hence, the various sects in Lebanon are naturally less threatened. A Revivalists believes you will come around in the end. If one doesn't, there is no real consequences. Fundamentalists prefer oppression and repression. If a Revivalist can deliver the goods, the masses will move away from the Fundamentalist. It's obvious which archetype is preferable. Perhaps, that partially explains Peretz: Hezbollah had been IDF's bottom priority?
Bush is crap, says Prescott. The comparison is an insult to turds.
Definition of the Day: Ulcer.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Chumpfish Links
Here's two recent links to Maximum Advantage in all Things:
ZenPundit
Nanotechnology Law
And one to this blog:
to herd or not to herd
Thanks!
Also today:
Olmert faces Lebanon backlash. The penalty for destroying the myth of IDF invincible.
Israel should pack up and go. "If Israel can exist only by destroying the neighborhood, then it's time to declare it a failed state. The Zionist dream has turned into a nightmare and is not viable." Recognition of what's to come?
Corporate war machine gathers speed. Right off a cliff.
Robert Fisk: Israel Wasn't Hoping for This. Empowering enemies.
Definition of the Day: Vampire.
ZenPundit
Nanotechnology Law
And one to this blog:
to herd or not to herd
Thanks!
Also today:
Olmert faces Lebanon backlash. The penalty for destroying the myth of IDF invincible.
Israel should pack up and go. "If Israel can exist only by destroying the neighborhood, then it's time to declare it a failed state. The Zionist dream has turned into a nightmare and is not viable." Recognition of what's to come?
Corporate war machine gathers speed. Right off a cliff.
Robert Fisk: Israel Wasn't Hoping for This. Empowering enemies.
Definition of the Day: Vampire.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Meanwhile
I've been away in the Olympic Rain Forest for a few days. It's one of the better National Parks, and even has hot springs. The mountains remind me more of the Rockies than the Cascades, but everything is much greener. I've been told that it is the only temperate rain forest in the world.
Meanwhile...
William S. Lind: Collapse of the Flanks. "...the walls of the temple that is the state system will be shaken world-wide." Also: "For a military historian, the question arises: will history see Iraq as America's Stalingrad"
The age of the state may be ending.Other social aarrangements are far more durable than these infant artificial constructs. Only time will tell, but the fact remains that the state is no longer the only way. As always, Death to the Stupid!
Uri Avnery: (Sorry about the previsious miss-spelling) What the Hell has Happened to the Israeli Army? Incompotence. They believed their own horseshit, and maybe worse yet: that of the American religious right.
Bush: Iran must stop supporting armed groups. The Iranian Ayatollahs are quaking (with laughter).
Postwar self test: Are you an anti-Semite? I scored 180; I did not understand #7 so answered "B."
Definition of the Day: Vain.
Meanwhile...
William S. Lind: Collapse of the Flanks. "...the walls of the temple that is the state system will be shaken world-wide." Also: "For a military historian, the question arises: will history see Iraq as America's Stalingrad"
The age of the state may be ending.Other social aarrangements are far more durable than these infant artificial constructs. Only time will tell, but the fact remains that the state is no longer the only way. As always, Death to the Stupid!
Uri Avnery: (Sorry about the previsious miss-spelling) What the Hell has Happened to the Israeli Army? Incompotence. They believed their own horseshit, and maybe worse yet: that of the American religious right.
Bush: Iran must stop supporting armed groups. The Iranian Ayatollahs are quaking (with laughter).
Postwar self test: Are you an anti-Semite? I scored 180; I did not understand #7 so answered "B."
Definition of the Day: Vain.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Price of Failure
OPINION: Olmert cannot remain in the prime minister's office. Price of failure.
Uri Avery: Who? Me?! The finger pointing begins.
Russia calls for 72-hour truce. Rising Russian prominence. The US has abdicated its role. Jimmy Carter is spinning in his grave.
Definition of the Day: Shiner.
Uri Avery: Who? Me?! The finger pointing begins.
Russia calls for 72-hour truce. Rising Russian prominence. The US has abdicated its role. Jimmy Carter is spinning in his grave.
Definition of the Day: Shiner.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
It Goes On
Baghdad morgue count rises again. It goes on.
Venezuela 'to sever Israel ties.' "no interest in maintaining diplomatic relations, or offices, or businesses, or anything with a state like Israel." A sign of things to come with OPEC?
15 soldiers killed Wednesday in south Lebanon. A tough foe.
Why are Americans so complacent? Propaganda about propaganda.
Arab-Jewish tensions rise in Israel. Another fracture.
Into the Valley of Death. "Israel Has Made Itself the Least Safe Place in the World for a Jew to Live." Wow.
Arabs warn of Lebanon 'civil war.' Sowing and reaping.
Results point to an angry electorate. The people not voting are even angrier.
In lawsuit against librarians, Bush administration had Supreme Court ruling, New York Times article kept 'secret.' What a shocker.
Definition of the Day: Shelter.
Venezuela 'to sever Israel ties.' "no interest in maintaining diplomatic relations, or offices, or businesses, or anything with a state like Israel." A sign of things to come with OPEC?
15 soldiers killed Wednesday in south Lebanon. A tough foe.
Why are Americans so complacent? Propaganda about propaganda.
Arab-Jewish tensions rise in Israel. Another fracture.
Into the Valley of Death. "Israel Has Made Itself the Least Safe Place in the World for a Jew to Live." Wow.
Arabs warn of Lebanon 'civil war.' Sowing and reaping.
Results point to an angry electorate. The people not voting are even angrier.
In lawsuit against librarians, Bush administration had Supreme Court ruling, New York Times article kept 'secret.' What a shocker.
Definition of the Day: Shelter.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
On Vacation
Patrick Cockburn: Requiem for Baghdad. Dying.
As Israeli death rises over 100, PM wavers over ground ops. If Sharon suddenly experienced a miraculous recovery, would he try to strangle his successor? He never showed vulnerability and cultivated the image. He appears to have been a Master of Propaganda. Unfortunately, his subordinates believed it. Once shown by the seemingly invulnerable, weakness is poison. There was no reason to go down with a sinking ship.
Bush, Islamic Fascism and the Christians of Jounieh. "Bush is on vacation, his favorite place to be during a major crisis." Bush is vacation while the US fights 2 wars directly and 1 through proxy. Good. He can do less damage.
Arab leaders fear rise of Hezbollah. I typed "hezbollah hijacking palestinian cause" and got this.
Definition of the Day: Shatner, William.
As Israeli death rises over 100, PM wavers over ground ops. If Sharon suddenly experienced a miraculous recovery, would he try to strangle his successor? He never showed vulnerability and cultivated the image. He appears to have been a Master of Propaganda. Unfortunately, his subordinates believed it. Once shown by the seemingly invulnerable, weakness is poison. There was no reason to go down with a sinking ship.
Bush, Islamic Fascism and the Christians of Jounieh. "Bush is on vacation, his favorite place to be during a major crisis." Bush is vacation while the US fights 2 wars directly and 1 through proxy. Good. He can do less damage.
Arab leaders fear rise of Hezbollah. I typed "hezbollah hijacking palestinian cause" and got this.
Definition of the Day: Shatner, William.
Monday, August 07, 2006
You Paid For It
Juan Cole: Israeli Air Raids Kill 12 Hizbullah Rockets kill 15. Your taxes are paying for it. You paid for it. You will pay for it. You continue to keep on paying for it. Iranians taxes are paying for it. The Iranians taxes paid for it. Iranians taxes will pay for it. Iranians taxes continue to keep on paying for it. The Military-Industrial Complex (a term first coined by Eisenhower in his farewell address--he would know) is a disease vector. Everything becomes militarized. Like chemotherapy, but the treatment is worse. It might not kill you. Pure chaos. The Military-Industrial Complex is the gift that keeps on giving. Some things should be refused on delivery. Some things make civilization not worth the price.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Propaganda About Propaganda
Cutting through Israel's propaganda war in the US. Propaganda about propaganda.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
First Casualty
Israel hit by Hezbollah barrage. "The upsurge came as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel had destroyed Hezbollah's infrastructure." The first casualty in war is the truth.
Blair admits to cabinet splits over his support for Bush on Israel. The poodle is getting tired.
Hezbollah warns of Tel Aviv strike. A man of his word? If only Western leaders could do so.
All over the world non-state armies are watching.
Definition of the Day: Miserable Failure. Jimmy's catching up.
Blair admits to cabinet splits over his support for Bush on Israel. The poodle is getting tired.
Hezbollah warns of Tel Aviv strike. A man of his word? If only Western leaders could do so.
All over the world non-state armies are watching.
Definition of the Day: Miserable Failure. Jimmy's catching up.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Not A Gas
William S. Lind: The Prussian Monarchy Stuff. Back to World War I, the greatest disaster in the history of Western Civilization. Not death, but burial. Hope it's not a gas.
Uri Avery: In the Gunsight: Syria. Stupidity multiplies.
Definition of the Day: Santa Fe.
Uri Avery: In the Gunsight: Syria. Stupidity multiplies.
Definition of the Day: Santa Fe.
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