Monthly Archives: November 2009

National Journal – 30 November 2009

 http://security.nationaljournal.com/2009/11/how-long-will-the-us-be-in-afg.php#1397268

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Walking the tightrope in Iran

""We have options ranging from complete and full cooperation to leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty on our table," said Kazem Jalali, spokesman for the parliament's national security and foreign policy committee. "But we believe that if the West reforms its path, … Continue reading

Posted in Iran | 7 Comments

Some things on which to meditate

""Where we have gone, goodness follows," Conway said. "But the fact is that we are not as expansive as we would like to be, and those probable additional number of Marines are going to help us to get there." "  … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Politics | 22 Comments

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

 Since we have to wait for  Obama to speak from West Point, thereby closing down all his "off ramps," we might as well be entertained.  Thanks to Russ W. for this.  pl Download TheGoodthebadtheugly

Posted in Film, Fine Art | 18 Comments

The Kagan/McChrystal Strategy

"If the Afghan government were fully legitimate, there would be no insurgency. U.S. and international actions must aim to improve the Afghan government's ability to provide basic services such as security and dispute resolution nationwide, building the legitimacy of the … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan | 24 Comments

How “Special” are the Kennedys?

  Last night Christopher Matthews abused his guest, Thomas Tobin, the Catholic Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island in a manner that calls into question Matthews' sanity as well as his claim to being (in his words) a "good Catholic."  It … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Religion | 59 Comments

The Washington Post should be registered under FARA

"…it is becoming evident that Mr. Erdogan's commitment to democratic principles and Western values is far from complete. As Turkey's prospects of joining the European Union have dimmed, the government's foreign policy has taken a nasty turn: Shrill denunciations of … Continue reading

Posted in Media | 39 Comments

Iraq, Afghanistan and the decisions facing Barack Obama

– Al-Qa'ida is regaining strength in Iraq with a new focus on the Maliki government.  This article in today's Post makes it quite clear that this is happening because of the abandonment of the "Sons of Iraq" by the United … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, The Military Art | 43 Comments

National Journal blog – 21 November 2009

  http://security.nationaljournal.com/2009/11/are-american-muslims-a-threat.php#1393884 I know it is spelled "origin."  pl

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Gone to New York until Saturday

Conference tomorrow "Counterinsurgency - America's Strategic Burden?"  pl

Posted in Interviews and Lectures, Ukraine Crisis | 3 Comments