The Strategic Paradigm of Modern Systemic Warfare (Piece written on 5 April, prior to the 7 April "cease fire" will be interesting to see how this shapes up.) The initiation of Operation Epic Fury at 1:15 a.m. ET on February 28, 2026, marked a definitive shift in the application of Western airpower and economic statecraft …
Rehearsing the Future: Thinking Beyond Knowledge in the Age of AI: DeMarco Banter
The age of intelligent machines demands more than technical adaptation; it requires a fundamental shift in how we think. For centuries, education, leadership, and professional preparation have been built on the premise that mastering knowledge equips one for action. But when machines can generate, synthesize, and automate knowledge faster than any human, knowledge itself ceases …
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CRUCIBLES, NOT COMFORT, SHAPE FUTURE MILITARY LEADERS: WAR on THE ROCKS
Grateful to the War on the Rocks team for publishing my piece on leadership development and the critical role of crucibles. You can read the opening below—and check out the full article on their site. A follow-up podcast conversation is coming soon. Stay tuned. A few years ago, a young U.S. military officer asked me a pointed …
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“Same as It Ever Was: History’s Cycle – DeMarco Banter”
"And you may ask yourself, ‘Well… how did I get here?’" – Talking Heads History doesn’t march forward in a straight line—it moves in cycles. From ancient Greece to modern America, civilizations rise, flourish, decline, and collapse, often repeating the same mistakes along the way. Anyone reading this blog knows it is something that has …
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Polymaths in the Pentagon: The Polymath and Innovation, A Key to Conceptualizing and Winning Tomorrow’s Wars : DeMarco BanterÂ
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the ability to innovate is not just a competitive advantage—it is a strategic imperative, particularly within the Department of Defense (DoD). Innovation in the DoD requires navigating complex, interconnected challenges that span technological, operational, geopolitical, and organizational domains. In this environment, the concept of the polymath—a person with extensive knowledge …
But… Do You Have a Five Year Plan? The CCP Does–DeMarco Banter
Introduction In leadership and management, whether in business, government, or military, having a well-structured long-term plan is essential for success. One popular model for this is the five-year plan, which provides a clear roadmap for achieving strategic goals over a set period. The concept originated with the Communist Soviet Union and is perhaps most famously …
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Reading The Leadership, Innovation, and Strategic Tea Leaves in Recent Articles and Reports: DeMarco Banter
As I read through the following articles from RAND, two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, and others, it is essential to ponder the themes, ideas, concepts, and strategies that emerge: RAND Commission on the National Defense Strategy Axios: "U.S. not ready for global war, commission warns" Foreign Affairs: "America Isn’t Ready for the Wars …
From Enlightenment to Absolutism – A Historical and Contemporary Examination: Neo-DeMarcoian ThoughtÂ
The Eye of Sauron: Surveillance in the Digital Age: The New Realm of Warfare–DeMarco Banter




