War links
An economist on rules versus discretion makes an observation on military history:
You see, somewhere, long ago, I read about the difference between the military methods of the Romans and those of the Hellenistic regimes set up after the conquests of Alexander the Great. Hellenistic armies, it was explained, were collections of specialists: heavy infantry with 16-foot pikes, archers, cavalry, and so on. Roman armies, by contrast, consisted of generalists: guys with shields, short swords, and javelins.
Used optimally, the Hellenistic armies had the advantage: longer reach if their heavy infantry confronted guys with shorter spears, longer range if their archers confronted guys with javelins, and so on. But making sure that everything went right required a first-rate commander; you could mess up badly if your phalanx found itself on uneven ground, etc..
Roman armies, by contrast, were relatively robust to mediocre leadership, since the soldiers could function relatively well in many circumstances. And in the end, since mediocre leaders are the norm, the Roman way prevailed.
Remembering the Battle of Britain, 70 years on.
Noting that the Battles of Manila and Nanjing both had more civilian casualties than either A-bombing.
Looking at Reagan’s record and approach as more complicated than folk think.
A fairly grim analysis of the implications of the US tactic of training Muslim forces in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine.
Arguing that, unless events intervene, an Israeli strike on Iran is likely by July next year. Fantasizing about kidnapping Ahmadinejad.
Hezbollah’s Fuhrer decides to blame Israel for the assassination of former Lebanese PM Hariri. Discussing reality and illusion in the Middle East: the conversation covers, amongst other things, Hezbollah’s “dark kingdom” in the South of Lebanon, illusions about the Syrian regime, the turn to religion in the Arab world.
Post with embedded jihadi video. Apart from the celebration of 9/11, the opposition to Western defence of Kuwait is also clear (the grounds being that infidel armed forces being in Arabia was an offence against Islam).
Examining the Golan Heights:
Syria’s secular non-Muslim Alawite-dominated government needs a permanent state of war with Israel to survive in a country with a hostile Sunni majority. … The territory has now been in Israel’s hands twice as long as it was in Syria’s.
Hamas leader reveals Arafat ordered Hamas to launch terror strikes on Israel. A useful post by an Israeli historian who is a long-time critic of the occupation of the West Bank. About the settlements and a freeze. The Palestinian BDS movement wants the end of Israel: the only state whose irredeemable sin is existing. Expressing extreme scepticism about the two-state solution. About peace negotiations as theatre. About the dangers of peace negotiations. Why the IRA/Ulster peace process analogy does not work for Hamas/Palestine/Israel. Signs that what Begin did to the Sinai settlements and Sharon did to the Gaza settlements, Netanahyu is planning to do to the West Bank settlements. Why the talks with the PLO cannot lead to peace and also. Using game theory to analyse the problems of peace negotiations. How things are going in the real struggle - who gets blamed for the failure of the negotiations. Suggesting the Obama Administration is getting more savvy about Middle Eastern realities. A moderate Israeli reviews a prize-winning book by a moderate Palestinian: the effect is to show how far apart the perspectives are.
Considering possible use of drones in Yemen. Al-Qaeda affiliate is conducting kidnappings in Niger.
Looking at the extensive strikes in Pakistan. Which include helicopter pursuits part of a new policy of “hot pursuit”. Pakistan blocks some NATO supplies in retaliation. Drone attacks in Pakistan aimed at disrupting a planned terror attack in Europe. Pakistani public sector worker held over New York terror attempt. The use of intelligence networks in Pakistan to direct drone strikes. Why drone strikes in Pakistan are increasing. Polling indicates the US military is very unpopular in the border region. More. Ground attacks in the region may be next.
Noting that Afghanistan has spent most of its history as part of someone’s empire. About someone who has been doing business in Afghanistan since 1997. Noting that Australian service personnel who have served in Afghanistan support the effort. About the sacrifices made by the 10 aid workers recently massacred in Afghanistan to help:
The Taliban and another insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attack, with the Taliban accusing the workers of spying and trying to spread Christianity.
Reporting on a failed USAID project in Afghanistan. The Afghan Army is now recruiting women. The US has an extensive covert operations military presence in Afghanistan.
You see, somewhere, long ago, I read about the difference between the military methods of the Romans and those of the Hellenistic regimes set up after the conquests of Alexander the Great. Hellenistic armies, it was explained, were collections of specialists: heavy infantry with 16-foot pikes, archers, cavalry, and so on. Roman armies, by contrast, consisted of generalists: guys with shields, short swords, and javelins.
Used optimally, the Hellenistic armies had the advantage: longer reach if their heavy infantry confronted guys with shorter spears, longer range if their archers confronted guys with javelins, and so on. But making sure that everything went right required a first-rate commander; you could mess up badly if your phalanx found itself on uneven ground, etc..
Roman armies, by contrast, were relatively robust to mediocre leadership, since the soldiers could function relatively well in many circumstances. And in the end, since mediocre leaders are the norm, the Roman way prevailed.
Remembering the Battle of Britain, 70 years on.
Noting that the Battles of Manila and Nanjing both had more civilian casualties than either A-bombing.
Looking at Reagan’s record and approach as more complicated than folk think.
A fairly grim analysis of the implications of the US tactic of training Muslim forces in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine.
Arguing that, unless events intervene, an Israeli strike on Iran is likely by July next year. Fantasizing about kidnapping Ahmadinejad.
Hezbollah’s Fuhrer decides to blame Israel for the assassination of former Lebanese PM Hariri. Discussing reality and illusion in the Middle East: the conversation covers, amongst other things, Hezbollah’s “dark kingdom” in the South of Lebanon, illusions about the Syrian regime, the turn to religion in the Arab world.
Post with embedded jihadi video. Apart from the celebration of 9/11, the opposition to Western defence of Kuwait is also clear (the grounds being that infidel armed forces being in Arabia was an offence against Islam).
Examining the Golan Heights:
Syria’s secular non-Muslim Alawite-dominated government needs a permanent state of war with Israel to survive in a country with a hostile Sunni majority. … The territory has now been in Israel’s hands twice as long as it was in Syria’s.
Hamas leader reveals Arafat ordered Hamas to launch terror strikes on Israel. A useful post by an Israeli historian who is a long-time critic of the occupation of the West Bank. About the settlements and a freeze. The Palestinian BDS movement wants the end of Israel: the only state whose irredeemable sin is existing. Expressing extreme scepticism about the two-state solution. About peace negotiations as theatre. About the dangers of peace negotiations. Why the IRA/Ulster peace process analogy does not work for Hamas/Palestine/Israel. Signs that what Begin did to the Sinai settlements and Sharon did to the Gaza settlements, Netanahyu is planning to do to the West Bank settlements. Why the talks with the PLO cannot lead to peace and also. Using game theory to analyse the problems of peace negotiations. How things are going in the real struggle - who gets blamed for the failure of the negotiations. Suggesting the Obama Administration is getting more savvy about Middle Eastern realities. A moderate Israeli reviews a prize-winning book by a moderate Palestinian: the effect is to show how far apart the perspectives are.
Considering possible use of drones in Yemen. Al-Qaeda affiliate is conducting kidnappings in Niger.
Looking at the extensive strikes in Pakistan. Which include helicopter pursuits part of a new policy of “hot pursuit”. Pakistan blocks some NATO supplies in retaliation. Drone attacks in Pakistan aimed at disrupting a planned terror attack in Europe. Pakistani public sector worker held over New York terror attempt. The use of intelligence networks in Pakistan to direct drone strikes. Why drone strikes in Pakistan are increasing. Polling indicates the US military is very unpopular in the border region. More. Ground attacks in the region may be next.
Noting that Afghanistan has spent most of its history as part of someone’s empire. About someone who has been doing business in Afghanistan since 1997. Noting that Australian service personnel who have served in Afghanistan support the effort. About the sacrifices made by the 10 aid workers recently massacred in Afghanistan to help:
The Taliban and another insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attack, with the Taliban accusing the workers of spying and trying to spread Christianity.
Reporting on a failed USAID project in Afghanistan. The Afghan Army is now recruiting women. The US has an extensive covert operations military presence in Afghanistan.