“After years of failed overtures, representatives of Mr. Hekmatyar, whose whereabouts is unknown, are now said to be finalizing a peace agreement.”
Blog Posts
SWJ Blog is a multi-author blog publishing news and commentary on the various goings on across the broad community of practice. We gladly accept guest posts from serious voices in the community.
1985 New York Times book review, by James Chace, of Richard Nixon’s “No More Vietnams”.
“Even after the extremists are defeated in Iraq and Syria, the problem will persist. ‘We’ll be in a perpetual state of suppression for a long time’”.
This CNAS report examines the current state of U.S. support for Syria’s opposition groups in each region and makes a case for scaling up that support.
SWJ El Centro Fellow Molly Molloy shares her thoughts on the possible imminent extradition of El Chapo Guzmán.
“If Obama can reach some understanding with Iran, he can rid himself of the pesky Middle East and pivot - a word that comes to mind - elsewhere.”
“The starkest example to date of a blurry line between the missions that American forces are supposed to be fulfilling — military training and advising — and combat.”
“After months of unexpectedly swift advances, the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State is running into hurdles on and off the battlefield.”
“Current and former US officials believe that CIA station chief, Mark Kelton, may have been poisoned by the Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.”
Ricks at FP, links to what others are saying.
“Conventional warfare is traditionally more prestigious in the Army than COIN or PK, so many in the Guard feel the study’s division of labor would relegate them to second-class status.”
For those that did not know him, he was seen as just another of the dissipated old coots who populated the coast and added color to the population.
“The president is in open disagreement with the SECDEF and the CJCS on one of the most critical issues our nation faces — whether to send our sons and daughters into combat.”
"Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. has turned heads and caused headaches in Beijing as well as in Washington with language starker than any coming from his commander in chief."
"The danger facing Americans was made clear again on Tuesday, when Navy SEAL Charlie Keating was killed on a mission to aid US military advisers under attack."
"Obama’s plan for fighting the Islamic State is predicated on having a credible and effective Iraqi ally on the ground in Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi."
"Five service members, including a general officer, were removed from Afghanistan. None of the 16 service members have faced court-martial."
“The officer wrote that the enemies of the Kunduz operation were 'moral cowardice' and a ‘profound lack of strategy.’”
“The U.S. Army decided to retain a Green Beret it had planned to kick out after he physically confronted a local Afghan commander accused of raping a boy over the course of many days.”
“U.S. military leaders faced skepticism Thursday on Capitol Hill as they made the case that President Obama’s strategy in Iraq and Syria is beginning to show results.”
As fighting intensified, the U.N. envoy to Syria pleaded with the United States and Russia to intervene "at the highest level" to revive struggling peace talks.
Efforts to squeeze the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have put the self-declared caliphate on shaky ground, leaving the group in perhaps its most vulnerable state.
It seems audaciously optimistic that America would only apply a larger Army against the problems our military leaders want it applied against.
"Stars and Stripes may lose its federal funding — $12 million a year — under a proposal being considered by the Department of Defense."
We win wars, battles and campaigns when we demonstrate a combination of discipline, responsibility, competence and attitude.