LIndsay Graham, one of my favorite senators, strongly opposes Trump’s decisions to withdraw from Syria and Afghanistan. (Newsweek) Lindsay Graham Calls for Immediate Hearings on Trump’s Syria and Afghanistan Decision, Warns of Second 9/11. This is about Afghanistan, which fails the ROI test that the U.S. presence in Syria currently passes. This is described in U.S. … Continue reading Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Part 1
Reuters: Trump, frustrated by Afghan war, suggests firing U.S. commander: officials. This would be a big mistake. It would be impossible to find a better person. There are bed rock basic reasons why U.S. policy in Afghanistan has failed, and they have nothing to do with the competence of General John Nicholson. They have to … Continue reading Trump Wants to Fire U.S. Commander in Afghanistan
Things that go BANG! have a great draw. You could say anything you want about the GBU-43, the “Mother of All Bombs”. Most readers in the U.S. will have a mildly euphoric feeling, similar to that from a bar of really good chocolate. The MOAB is not the largest conventional bomb in the U.S. arsenal. … Continue reading MOAB, “Mother of All Bombs”, in Afghanistan
This might eventually be followed by, “How the Giant Got His Foot Caught in the Door.” (CNN)US strikes 5 facilities in Iraq and Syria linked to Iranian-backed militia and (CNN) Iran warns of ‘consequences’ after US strikes in Iraq and Syria. Missile attacks were anticipated in Iran warns U.S., Israel of revenge after parade attack; … Continue reading U.S. Debacle in Iraq? Part 1
This article is written as a mystery. Did the authors meditate on the vanishingly small percentage of readers who could interpret? (Reuters) U.S. withholding $105 million in security aid for Lebanon. Quoting, The administration had sought approval for the assistance starting in May, arguing that it was crucial for Lebanon, an important U.S. partner in … Continue reading Reuters: U.S. withholding $105 million in security aid for Lebanon; Night Vision Goggles; Vox Populi
(NBC) U.S. officials: Iran official OK’d attacks on American military. Quoting, One U.S. official said Iran usually conceals the missiles and components when delivering them to the Houthis. These missiles are visible to overhead surveillance, leading to concerns Iran could attempt to launch missiles from the dhows. There are some indications they have mobile launchers … Continue reading Iranian Missile Movements; Open Source Versus Technical Intelligence
CNN video: Attack by drones with explosives raises alarm. The video misleads. Crucially, at 2:05, James Carafano states, “All these things are radio controlled.” Cheap commercial drones are programmed by the factory to listen for the signal of a controller. But anybody who can hack firmware can take that feature out. Expensive U.S. military drones, … Continue reading CNN: Attack by drones with explosives raises alarm
CNN: John McCain takes on H.R. McMaster critics. Quoting, “The recent attacks upon (McMaster) from the so-called ‘alt-right’ are disgraceful. Since this fringe movement cannot attract the support of decent Americans, it resorts to impugning the character of a good man and outstanding soldier who has served honorably in uniform and sacrificed more for our … Continue reading John McCain takes on H.R. McMaster critics
We discussed SALT I as an example. What are the current elements of Identity of interest, linkage, and trust? We have to do some creative thinking to find these elements. Recently, with large troop concentrations around Moscow, there has been some speculation that the Russians are more fearful of the threat environment than revealed by … Continue reading Trump Putin Meeting; Finding the Great Trade; Conclusion
(Click to Enlarge) “The Predictors”, 20″x16″, oil on canvas, the first painting I know of devoted to open source intelligence. I’m looking for a gig. The string of keywords in the title is just to get it on your radar. Since I began writing this blog in June of 2014, it has acquired the most … Continue reading Looking for a Gig; Korea-Russia-Nuclear-Putin-KGB-China Sea