News and commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Riley Murray.
1. Face Masks Really Do Matter. The Scientific Evidence Is Growing.
2. The US Is Out of Position in the Indo-Pacific Region
3. More Than 39,000 Federal Employees Have Tested Positive for COVID-19
4. Special operations forces and great power competition
5. 'That Others May Live': The Pararescue Units Preparing for War on Top of the World
6. Homeland Security Worries Covid-19 Masks Are Breaking Facial Recognition, Leaked Document Shows
7. Opinion | Doing Schoolwork in the Parking Lot Is Not a Solution
8. Veteran speaks out after video of federal officers beating him goes viral
9. Out of Portland tear gas, an apparition emerges, capturing the imagination of protesters
10. Green Beret designs first-ever fireproof American flag made of kevlar to withstand rioters
11. Trump says bases named for Confederates won't be renamed: 'I don't care what the military says'
12. Here's what the damage inside the Bonhomme Richard looks like
13. With 30 Submarines, Japan Will Shape The Pacific's Undersea Defenses
14. We Don't Need Conversations, We Need Systemic Change
15. Army vet steps down from congressional committees amid voter fraud charges
16. Retired Army Master Sergeant Gets Heroism Medal for Stopping Shooter on Kansas Bridge
17. The Navy's Cultural Ship Is Listing
18. Risk Aversion and the Army's New Tactical Unmanned Aircraft: Buying Technology is One Thing, Being Able to Employ it is Another
19. A Strategic Pivot to Outer Space
20. US tech giants exposed if China takes Taiwan
21. As 'cancel culture' activism peaks, big tech and its algorithms quietly fuel the flames
1. Face Masks Really Do Matter. The Scientific Evidence Is Growing.
WSJ · by Caitlin McCabe
Just a public service announcement.
2. The US Is Out of Position in the Indo-Pacific Region
defenseone.com · by Nathan Freier, John Schaus, Al Lord, Alison Goldsmith, COL Elizabeth Martin – 19 July 2020
Nate Freier has been doing a lot of really good work at the Army War College with students looking at complex issues and as shown here they have been really focusing on INDOPACOM.
3. More Than 39,000 Federal Employees Have Tested Positive for COVID-19
defenseone.com · by Eric Katzsenior
Some interesting data here.
4. Special operations forces and great power competition
If the formatting does not come through please go to the link: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/public-sector/future-of-special-operations-forces-great-power-competition.html
Some important voices in this: Rep. James Langevin, Mike Vickers, Mark Mitchell, Ken Tovo.
5. 'That Others May Live': The Pararescue Units Preparing for War on Top of the World
Popular Mechanics · by Jeff Bolton and Kellen Wilson · July 19, 2020
American heroes here.
6. Homeland Security Worries Covid-19 Masks Are Breaking Facial Recognition, Leaked Document Shows
The Intercept · by Mara Hvistendahl · July 16, 2020
I am reminded of this meme that has come out with COVID 19.
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7. Opinion | Doing Schoolwork in the Parking Lot Is Not a Solution
The New York Times · by The Editorial Board · July 18, 2020
Internet access is a civil rights issue? In today's world it is a necessity for living a modern life.
We have been discussing many issues and ways to cope with the changes with our daughter as she prepares to go back to college last month. With common areas closed or reduced in amount of usable space due to social distancing it is going to make studying difficult (and access to Wi-Fi). They are increasing the time between classes but while this could be used for studying there is a reduced amount of study space so where do students go in between classes with a larger gap of time than normal? There are second and third order effects to every mitigation measure the university takes to deal with the coronavirus. And of course, this is happening to schools all over the country and at every level of education.
8. Veteran speaks out after video of federal officers beating him goes viral
Independent · by Danielle Zoellner · July 20, 2020
Please watch the video at the link: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/portland-protests-trump-veteran-christopher-david-federal-officers-oregon-a9627466.html?fbclid=IwAR3slTOgvxpA8i-_XIpomHzE5d33my1rd5umEon9S6LzR2qHlDtaCvxtBiw
If we are dealing with an insurgency then we are seeing how not to deal with it. Whoever these federal officials are in combat uniforms and gear ought to be taken to task for their actions. But this is exactly the kind of response that insurgents would like to cause and of course to get it on film. They want draconian population and resources control measures as it strengthens their cause.
And then there is the video of the suburban moms lined up between the thugs in uniform and the protestors. Someone needs to provide better advice to whomever is controlling these federal officials. And these people in uniform need better training.
9. Out of Portland tear gas, an apparition emerges, capturing the imagination of protesters
Los Angeles Times · by Richard Read · July 20, 2020
This must have been quite a place. I suppose some would say, only in Portland. Whatever the federal government officials think we are going to do there, they are going to be embarrassed and make matters worse. They are playing right into the protestors' (or insurgents' if that is what you want to believe) hands.
10. Green Beret designs first-ever fireproof American flag made of kevlar to withstand rioters
theepochtimes.com · by Robert Jay Watson · July 18, 2020
Pretty innovative. We ought to hand these out in places like Iran so protestors will get frustrated. What a great PSYOP effect - the American flag is too strong and powerful for you to be able to burn it!
11. Trump says bases named for Confederates won't be renamed: 'I don't care what the military says'
taskandpurpose.com · by Jeff Schogol
12. Here's what the damage inside the Bonhomme Richard looks like
navytimes.com · by Geoff Ziezulewicz · July 18, 2020
The photos and video are at this link: https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/07/17/heres-what-the-damage-inside-the-bonhomme-richard-looks-like/?utm
13. With 30 Submarines, Japan Will Shape The Pacific's Undersea Defenses
Forbes · by Craig Hooper · July 19, 2020
14. We Don't Need Conversations, We Need Systemic Change
usni.org – by Commander Jada Johnson – 19 July 202
A very thoughtful and thought-provoking essay. But there is a lot of push back on the concept of structural systemic racism among some people.
15. Army vet steps down from congressional committees amid voter fraud charges
militarytimes.com · by Leo Shane III · July 17, 2020
16. Retired Army Master Sergeant Gets Heroism Medal for Stopping Shooter on Kansas Bridge
Well deserved. It is what American soldiers do.
military.com · by Gina Harkins · July 17, 2020
17. The Navy's Cultural Ship Is Listing
WSJ - by Kate Bachelder Odell – 17 July 2020
We need our Navy large, strong, and effective.
18. Risk Aversion and the Army's New Tactical Unmanned Aircraft: Buying Technology is One Thing, Being Able to Employ it is Another
mwi.usma.edu · by Addison McLamb · July 20, 2020
19. A Strategic Pivot to Outer Space
thestrategybridge.org · July 20, 2020
Are wars in space "small wars" or major combat operations? :-)
20. US tech giants exposed if China takes Taiwan
asiatimes.com · by Scott Foster · July 20, 2020
A scary thought. If China takes Taiwan, I would be a lot more worried than just about exposure of tech giants. It could be a brutal war that spreads far beyond Taiwan.
21. As 'cancel culture' activism peaks, big tech and its algorithms quietly fuel the flames
We all need to take a step back and think about cancelling this "cancel culture." And the article begs the question of whether technology is helping or hindering the defense against it?
"Strategy is revolution. Everything else is tactics."
- Lawrence Freedman, Strategy: A History
"Power always has to be kept in check; power exercised in secret, especially under the cloak of national security, is doubly dangerous."
- William Proxmire
The freedom to criticize ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society.
-Rowan Atkinson