Journal

As we begin to imagine a post-Long War era, a renewed appreciation of the fundamental building blocks of world order is required.

This dialogue between anthropologists Howard Campbell and Tobin Hansen explores the relationship between violence, politics, and terrorism in Mexico’s narco-conflict.

After more than a decade of overseas operations since Sept. 11, 2001, there is a needed moment of reassessment as to how to equip, train and even fund the military.

To facilitate operational success and to provide clarity for Service members, Joint Force leaders must have clear codes of conduct developed for their organizations.

Much of the discussion of a ‘military takeover’ is the phantasmagoria of the radical fringe that sees conspiracies and plots everywhere.  This fever-swamp mentality makes it possible to lose sight of the slow-motion trend that does exist and is undermining civilian control of the military.

Will we “learn” the same lessons we learned after Vietnam again? (…and, by the way, what were those lessons?)

Critiquing the Critique of British COIN

What role should attack aviation play on future battlefields to best support ground forces in achieving their objectives?

A British model, an American model, a Robinson model.

The CIA’s Small War that Killed the Monroe Doctrine and Marked a New Era of American Diplomacy  

Operations in Safar focused on ridding the area of enemy fighters and not mimicking the standard gain a foot hold and chasing ghosts through a minefield tactics.

A history and discussion of the Lebanese Shi'a Party of Allah

Identity-based conflicts are purposefully incited and strategically prepared by means of targeted mass communication. 

A look at decision-making in Vietnam.

It does not matter if one shows courage or leadership in Iraq or Afghanistan, if they return to meekly let the military industrial complex’s moral corruption continue.

Herodotus had it right when he considered the Caspian Sea to be landlocked. 

Considering an active cyber defense.

If we're to face a period of persistent global conflict, then officers are professionally obligated to consider the conduct of operations on U.S. soil.

If one believes they are in the Clear/Hold phase and they are taking regular casualties, then I believe a change to disruption would make a difference.

Disruptive Technology and Reforming the Pentagon Establishment—Part III

What role does Iraq play in the development of the Syrian crisis?

A provocative essay.  What say you?

The team applied new new software, called RASCAL, to the provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, and Zabul in Afghanistan and found that Zabul was over-represented among the most important villages.

This type of massive COIN effort is only one extreme of a long continuum of policy options.  If we want to keep COIN from becoming a 'dirty word,' we need to leave room for alternate, smaller footprint models.

How the MRAP was pushed past the objections of the Pentagon Establishment.

Our team produced design deliverables that established a narrative and conveyed a recommendation that had a structured organizing logic associated with its creation.

Ramazan is expected to occur July 20 thru August 18, 2012.

As India’s ambitions and might grow, attachments to the UN and to UNPKOs are eroding in favor of more hard-headed assessments

Now is the time for the United Nations to harden the edges of their action and provide a new resolution.

This is the kind of book worthy of discussion in America’s War Colleges of the 21st century.

Naiveté clouded the lens through which they viewed military power.

A Maoist approach may have produced a more politically meaningful victory with less brutality in the First Congo Civil War.

How the Pentagon resisted change and needed disruption to enact life-saving programs in the face of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

How "Design" was used in shaping a the way ahead in Afghanistan.

To understand and address the tensions between “winning the present and winning the future” a joint force capable of “deep thinking” is required.

A look back at al Qaeda after 10 years of war.

Key bureaucratic and analytical challenges for the deployed threat finance analyst and the larger community of deployed all-source intelligence analysts

Will Mexico’s admittance into the Trans-Pacific Partnership create an even more empowered global criminal network?

Without a more unified and coercive strategy from the international community, Assad will likely remain in power for the immediate future. 

Stemming from his must-read book, an important discussion about Helmand, Kandahar, and America's flawed attempt to save Afghanistan.

A Foucauldian approach to military history exposes 4GW as a crock.

An interview with Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Schaefer, the author of  “The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus: From Gazavat to Jihad.”

When it comes to their old strategy of “zero problems with neighbors,” Turkey’s worst foreign policy headache might not be Syria...

Holding and building in pop-centric COIN.

The doctrine for wargaming during COA analysis falls short for small wars.

To implement mission command successfully, a shared understanding of the environment, problem, and strategic intent must exist with echelons above and below.

Harnessing the Disruptive Mind of the entrepreneur and investor with
the System Mind of the military and government at the tactical and
strategic level of special operations.

Using visual media to disrupt insurgent formation.

China's struggle with the Uyghur minority.

COIN, organizational culture, and leadership - how they have interplayed in Afghanistan over the past several decades.