10/26/2020 News & Commentary – National Security
News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Duncan Moore.
1. Afghan forces claim to kill al-Qaida propagandist wanted by FBI
2. US welcomes India’s rise as a leading regional and global power
3. US-India military alliance comes into view
4. China to impose sanctions on U.S. firms over Taiwan arms sales
5. The Marines Corps is rolling out a ‘subversive’ new strategy to take on China
6. Options for the U.S. to counter China’s disruptive economic activities
7. Japan, world’s third largest economy, vows to become carbon-neutral by 2050
8. Mapping agency wants to ID locations by sound
9. Poll shows increase in American support for defending Taiwan
10. The belt and road strategy has backfired on Xi
11. More than 77 percent willing to fight in the event of an invasion by China: poll
12. US, Indonesia agree to enhance military, maritime security ties
13. Social media is the greatest threat to US service members
14. XVIII Airborne crowdsources innovation in new competition
15. He was convicted of war crimes and pardoned by Trump. Now he wants to reform military justice
16. Operating at home: how to make SOF troops’ transition to civilian life easier
17. Erik Prince’s private wars
1. Afghan forces claim to kill al-Qaida propagandist wanted by FBI
Military Times · Rahim Faiez · October 25, 2020
Will this stem or increase violence?
2. US welcomes India’s rise as a leading regional and global power
Outlook · Lalit K Jha · October 26, 2020
This has the potential to alter the political, economic, and security landscape in Asia and around the world.
3. US-India military alliance comes into view
Asia Times · MK Bhadrakumar · October 26, 2020
I hope this does not jinx the US-India relationship of the Quad and the Quad Plus. India has long been proud of its non-aligned status and, I as understand it, has never desired to be part of any alliance structure. I hope that is changing.
This is a very interesting perspective.
4. China to impose sanctions on U.S. firms over Taiwan arms sales
Reuters · Yew Lun Tian et al. · October 26, 2020
Is this unexpected?
5. The Marines Corps is rolling out a ‘subversive’ new strategy to take on China
Business Insider · Mark Perry · October 25, 2020
I could not find this article on the Responsible Statecraft web site (note author attribution).
6. Options for the U.S. to counter China’s disruptive economic activities
Divergent Options · Jonathan Falcone · October 26, 2020
7. Japan, world’s third largest economy, vows to become carbon-neutral by 2050
Washington Post · Simon Denyer & Akiko Kashiwagi · October 26, 2020
8. Mapping agency wants to ID locations by sound
Defense One · Brandi Vincent · October 24, 2020
Fascinating contest and concept.
9. Poll shows increase in American support for defending Taiwan
Diplomat · Bonnie S. Glaser & Mathew P. Funaiole · October 23, 2020
Hmmm.. should be useful for messaging and deterrence.
10. The belt and road strategy has backfired on Xi
Palladium · Tanner Greer · October 24, 2020
I prefer OBOR.
11. More than 77 percent willing to fight in the event of an invasion by China: poll
Taipei Times · Wu Su-wei · October 25, 2020
Also very important for messaging and deterrence.
12. US, Indonesia agree to enhance military, maritime security ties
American Military News · Asia News Network · October 26, 2020
13. Social media is the greatest threat to US service members
Task & Purpose · Jeff Schogol · October 25, 2020
Interesting perspective and analysis.
14. XVIII Airborne crowdsources innovation in new competition
Army Times · Harm Venhuizen · October 25, 2020
This Lieutenant could be a hero if he improves the range scheduling and land use process to make it more efficient and effective for users!!
15. He was convicted of war crimes and pardoned by Trump. Now he wants to reform military justice
Military.com · Richard Sisk · October 25, 2020
Sigh… I guess he is depending on his “life experience” for expertise.
16. Operating at home: how to make SOF troops’ transition to civilian life easier
Military Times · Harm Venhuizen · October 24, 2020
17. Erik Prince’s Private Wars
Rolling Stone · Seth Hettena · October 25, 2020
I will be interested in reading commentary and analysis from Sean McFate on this. Oh wait. He is quoted in this article. No need to wait.
“I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.”
– Socrates
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
– Winston Churchill
“Unconventional Warfare is to Warfare as Acupuncture is to Medicine.”
-COL (RET) Jack Jensen, US Army SF, 3 May 2017
