Torture–the refuge of tyranny

Over the last few years there has been considerable comment about  the use of torture as a means of interrogation by the US.  I personally find such methods abhorrent and they are probably ultimately counterproductive.   I do understand the need for extreme measures under the most compelling and dangerous circumstances to our nation’s security but those times [...]

US foreign policy of the future from the prism of the past

The US will face many challenging events and circumstances in the years to come in our dealings with other nations and areas of the world–principally, the Mid East, Latin America, North Korea and the edges of the Russian Bear.  Inevitably others will emerge that aren’t even on the radar screen right now.   No matter who is [...]

From the Memory Cupboard

The brain is an amazing organ.   It can do so much more than your computer and quicker too.   Just think of all those events big and little that it stores for later recall.  Don’t forget all the items that it decides shouldn’t be stored.  They are important too or else we would be bogged down [...]

Iterating the Past, Russian moves

I have never understood the use of “reiterate”.   You see it used all the time and hear it on newscasts, etc.  Iterate means to repeat.   Reiterate means to repeat.  Why do we have or need two words with the same meaning.  It would seem to me that iterate is sufficient and “reiterate” is redundant.  Why [...]

Chain the Russian Bear

I do not like it when the pundits in the media offer constant criticism but offer no solutions themselves.  They heap blame for one action after another on the Government but you notice they never stick their neck out and say exactly what should be done.   Lou Dobbs and Olberman were both ranting about the [...]

Lessons for today from the Hundred Years War

This won’t be as boring as you might think.   I know most of you have only the vaguest memory of the Hundred years War and want it meant or maybe even who the opposing sides where.  Well, it was England and France and was fought from the mid 1300’s to the mid 1400’s.  Of course [...]

Russia invades Georgia, again

Stalin was born in Georgia.  It has been part of Russia or a Russian sphere of influence for centuries.  Often that history and control by Russia has been tenuous and turbulent.  With the recent events of the last days and the world’s eyes on that part of the world it is uselfu to recall some [...]

Diplomacy then for use now

Regardless of how our election turns out the US will have to negotiate and deal with friend and foe alike for our security and to protect our vital interests at home and abroad.  I really don’t like for politicians of any stripe to “select” their historical examples and use them out of context when offering [...]

The Dark Side or Humanity 101

We are going to conduct a test or experiment this morning.  Don’t worry, there will not be a written quiz on it later and I promise it will not be a question on the Final Exam.  This is for your own evaluation of who you are and how we all fit together or don’t fit [...]

Military Adages to Live By

Over the centuries various military leaders and armies have developed certain theories about war and  battle that have quite useful recommendations for our everyday life.  Some of these you can see demonstrated in Creasy’s  15 Decisive Battles of the World and also in Von Clausewitz’s “On War” .  You should at least browse through that [...]