DeM Banter: I'm pretty sure there is a better way to do business, but I am not sure this is the answer...further...a guy from CATO and another from MIT--simply reeks of the "ivory tower" syndrome. IF we were to go down this road... it would signal the withdrawal of the US from the world stage and confirm …
Al-Qaeda returns: The Economist
DeM Banter: one thing I have found most interesting...that we would have the arrogance to believe that just because we SAY the war is over... it is indeed over. Have we really forgotten that the enemy gets a vote....heck we don't even want to acknowledge there is an enemy here. Just pick up Sun Tzu …
CAN IRAN, OR THE U.S., DELIVER? By Fareed Zakaria
DeM Banter: Well... this will be interesting to watch...the optimist in me is quite happy... the Sith Lord in me says IT'S A TRAP! It's a classic...good cop (Rouhani) vs bad cop (the Ayatollah)...beacuse all know bad cop, bad cop (Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah) doesn't work...even Mark Wahlberg knows that... It would seem the news of Syria has …
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OBAMA’S EVOLVING DOCTRINE By David E. Sanger (w/DeM Banter)
DeM Banter: Define Doctrine: a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group. Now...A United States Presidential doctrine comprises the key goals, attitudes, or stances for United States foreign affairs outlined by a President. And stated below...The Obama Doctrine is: "finding a negotiated end to the Iran confrontation, and creating a separate state for the Palestinians that …
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OBAMA’S MASSIVE PENTAGON SPENDING CUTS COULD SINK THE NAVY: Editorial Washington Examiner
DeM Banter: Couple of quick thoughts...again, this is all about choices...and it would appear this is what the majority of the American public voted for. There is no perceived threat (or at least not one the press choses to talk about) and no strategy...in that light...this all appears quite logical if we don't look much …
THE BEST DIPLOMACY IS ARMED DIPLOMACY By Henry R. Nau
DeM Banter: There's that pesky thing called history again... Wall Street Journal September 19, 2013 Pg. 19 President Reagan knew that adversaries take negotiations seriously when the use of force is clearly an option. Since Barack Obama came to the White House, he has practiced an activist diplomacy. The president never met a diplomatic opportunity …
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Welsh: Empower Airmen To Do What They Think Is Best By Jeff Schogol
DeM Banter: Sure could have used this one yesterday...really curious how this will filter down and what the 3rd and 4th order effects will be. Totally applaud the effort...but not sure it will survive first contact with any general officer outside the CSAF's staff--but then again... I tend be wrong....a lot.... AirForceTimes.com September 17, 2013 …
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THE MARINES NEED FUNDING FOR TODAY’S THREATS, NOT A PRE-9/11 WORLD By James F. Amos
DeM Banter: Mission, Vision, Strategy...Innovation. Wall Street Journal September 17, 2013 Pg. 17 The Corps faces budget cuts even as its responsibilities expand in an age of cyber terror and embassy attacks. In discussions in Washington about the sequester and defense strategy and resources, a basic question is often asked: "With the war in …
AT AFA, USAF SECRETARY CALLS FOR INNOVATION By Aaron Mehta (w/DeM Banter)
DeM Banter: Powerful words below...but I really wonder if the USAF has an ecosystem that can really support and/or encourage innovation. You can not simply just demand an organization to innovate and expect it to happen....leadership must create a space that encourages innovation and creative thinking. As we continue to cut people, programs, systems...are we …
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US AIR FORCE WEIGHS SCRAPPING KC-10S, A-10S, F-15CS, NEW CSAR HELICOPTERS By Marcus Weisgerber and Aaron Mehta
DeM Banter: If you want to win big... ya gotta bet big! Can you even imagine? Scare tactic? I had heard the KC10 was on the chopping block...that would go along with all the other airframes I have touched..."Snake" DeMarco... no more C-23, C-12, C-141, KC-10s should be next. The real issue is we can't …