Monthly Archives: July 2008

The brass pushes back.

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

Yesterday, on Fox New Sunday (FNS), Admiral Mullen, (CJCS) firmly told the host that the armed forces make plans in the context of the policy of the Commander in Chief (CinC),the president.  He continued to say that when there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 14 Comments

More thoughts on “the next war”

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"In military journals, midlevel officers’ conferences and gatherings around the Pentagon, a growing number have expressed concern that the Defense Department’s planning and resources are being trained disproportionately on small guerrilla wars. At the same time, they fear that important … Continue reading →

Posted in The Military Art | 4 Comments

Bill Kristol, General Odierno and media management.

Posted on July 20, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

On Fox News Sunday (FNS) today, Bill Kristol, the Jacobin publisher of the "Weekly Standard" said "I was invited to Fort Hood with a small group to talk to General Odierno who is taking over in Iraq…" Several months ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | 20 Comments

Iraq’s Prime Minister states his position

Posted on July 19, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supports US presidential candidate Barack Obama’s plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months. When asked in and interview with SPIEGEL when he thinks US troops should leave Iraq, Maliki responded "as soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 19 Comments

The oil bubble is leaking

Posted on July 19, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

I told you so!  Ah, that’s not very mature.  Yes, but it feels sooo good. Down how much last week?  What’s that again?  I couldn’t hear you… It is true that there is a severe supply and demand problem in … Continue reading →

Posted in Oil | 48 Comments

“The Asian smiles…” (Maliki in this case)

Posted on July 18, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"The White House says President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the timing of troop reductions should be part of a broader security agreement being negotiated between Washington and Baghdad."  NY Times ——————————————————————- Bush’s White House probably thinks … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Politics | 15 Comments

Can outsiders manage change in alien cultures?

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

In the immediate aftermath of the Iraq intervention it was striking that the Jacobin neocon crowd were of the opinion that traditional (dare I say classic) Middle Eastern and Islamic culture was of little or no value in humanist terms … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Politics | 29 Comments

Pakistan border situation – 2

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

I am glad that my note was of interest to many readers. Thank you to those who expressed appreciation. There is one important aspect which I did not explicitly deal with (it is such a given for Pakistanis that, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 21 Comments

Pakistan border situation

Posted on July 16, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

The attack on the Kunar post, because of the sad loss of life, has garnered a lot of attention and comment. But this was, after all, just a minor tactical setback. What should really worry people in the US are … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 32 Comments

No more Czechoslovakia?

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

(irony alert) It’s not there anymore, John.  It has been gone for lo, these many years.  The natives divided it up into two little countries, "Boravia," and "Mohemia," or something like that.  You can learn things like that on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 26 Comments