Category Archives: strategy

Trump’s Syrian missile strike was a strategic blunder with Xi

Dedicated to the memory of Dean Rusk; a Southern gentleman, an American patriot, and a public servant who understood what is at stake with China. In statecraft, there are three types of blunders or sins. Two are punished and one … Continue reading

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The UK constitutional crisis: the death of liberal democracy

The United Kingdom faces a constitutional crisis created by the vote to leave the EU. The referendum outcome had many causes. For some, a quasi-Marxist view explains the outcome as caused by the recent financial crisis and the austerity that … Continue reading

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Initial analytical thoughts on Paris Attacks.

The following are some initial thoughts on the Paris attacks. The analysis relies on information in the public domain and includes what is known about previous attacks of a similar nature. I hope the following helps others to understand the … Continue reading

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Child Sexual Abuse: A consequence of an imperial system?

The long awaited inquiry into historical child sexual abuse has started. The Goddard Inquiry (Hereafter the Inquiry) will examine the extent to which institutions and organizations in England and Wales failed to protect children from Child Sexual Abuse (hereafter CSA). … Continue reading

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Israel’s strategy in Gaza; creating liberal democratic tendencies.

Many observers argue that Israel lacks a strategy in Gaza. If it has a strategy, it is bankrupt because any success does not stop the attacks. A related view argues Israel’s tactical advantage cannot be turned into strategic victory. By … Continue reading

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A possible Putin strategic apology

    Some commentators suggest that Mr. Putin is in a difficult position and will find it impossible to explain this event or save face. See for example Tom Nichols excellent piece Panic in Red Square.[1] I believe that reputation … Continue reading

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How Snowden’s naivety has harmed the NSA in his own words.

For many people, the NSA’s arguments against Snowden appear hollow as they lack a smoking gun. The NSA has not provided any evidence that the leaks have damaged their ability to collect intelligence and deal with terrorist threats. For some … Continue reading

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Privacy and the political good.

What is missing from the debate on privacy, in general, and the debate over state surveillance, in particular, is the question of the political good either defended or promoted by constraining surveillance and protecting privacy. What is the political good … Continue reading

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A response to Paul Pillar on Ukraine

In his essay NATO Expansion and the Road to Simferopol Mr Pillar makes several arguments to suggest that the European Union, the United States, and NATO were as much responsible for Russia’s interventions in Ukraine as the Russian. His argument, … Continue reading

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Has Putin’s claim to bring glory back to Russia masked his betrayal?

      If Putin wanted to bring glory back to Russia, he would be doing the following. First, he would improve health care[1]. Second, he would improve higher education.[2] Third, he would create jobs.[3] Fourth, he would free his … Continue reading

Posted in Government, military, statesmanship, strategy, Uncategorized, war | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment