Blog Posts

“The Taliban have received improved weaponry in Afghanistan that appears to have been supplied by the Russian government.”

“Cavalier or casually acquiescent decisions to spend taxpayer dollars in an ineffective and wasteful manner are not to recur.”

“Cooperation with Russia is becoming a central part of the Trump administration’s counter-Islamic State strategy in Syria.”

Continue on for a link to all the presentations and panel discussions at this year’s Aspen Security Forum.

No video, just audio to jump-start your Monday morning.

“Trump administration officials consistently point back to the Obama administration’s failed Syria policy to justify their approach.”

“Soon after its founding in 2014, ISIS-K descended into the Achin district and established it as its stronghold.”

“Technological advancement could produce ocean-spanning consumer UAVs. But extremists won’t necessarily bother with them.”

Continue on for the arm patch ID lineup.

“The aim is to build a counterinsurgency force able to support troops fighting in remote and forbidding terrain with air strikes, supplies and intelligence.”

“Yet to be memorialized are the estimated 7,000 men and women who have died in the longest conflict in the country’s history.”

“The most fearsome weapon in Mosul on that day was never used by the terrorists. Only now is it becoming clear what happened to it.”

“While the Defense Department now has authority to set troop numbers for Afghanistan, President Donald Trump is still setting the strategy that will drive those numbers.”

“The group has adapted to battlefield setbacks. But that doesn't mean it factored territorial losses into its master plan.”

“Questions abound about why some might want to exaggerate Iranian power.”

“America and its military’s proclivity for perpetual war - and what that means for the war against Islamist terrorists.”

“The rise and fall of the Syria covert action program conveys some useful lessons about this most delicate weapon in the United States’ arsenal.”

“A State Department report released Wednesday underscores the persistence of the terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State.”

Continue on for links to the 25-26 July conference agenda and bios as well as info on the 24-28 July crowd sourcing event.

“It’s pointless to commit to a troop surge when there’s no strategy to support it.”

The report said brigades that had been trained were at 60% of their planned strength. It attributed this failure to problems with recruitment, retention, and desertions.

Continue on for information on the 25-26 July Mad Scientist Conference and on how to watch the live-stream.

“Intelligence and security officials are bracing for the kind of devastating insurgency al Qaeda waged following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.”

“President Trump presided over a rare meeting of his full national security team Wednesday in the White House.”

“There were early signs that the State Department would be benched.”