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 …
Chaos and Order (Peterson and McGilchrist): DeMarco Banter
I have followed Jordan Peterson for years and enjoyed his early work on the balance between chaos and order (he seems a bit angry over the past 3 years or so). During my dissertation, I was introduced to Iain McGilchrist's work on the divided brain, which I found fascinating. This led me to a recorded …
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From Enlightenment to Absolutism – A Historical and Contemporary Examination: Neo-DeMarcoian Thought
The Eye of Sauron: Surveillance in the Digital Age: The New Realm of Warfare–DeMarco Banter

AI Titans: The Clash of Superpowers in the Digital Arena—Utilizing Feasible Scenario Spaces to plot the Future of Competition: Neo-DeMarcoian Thought
Exploring Strategic Parallels: Shì, The Force, Coup d’œil, and Modern Geopolitics: DeMarco Banter.
While reading Michael Pillsbury's book, "The Hundred-Year Marathon," I began to ponder—if the CCP utilizes the concept of shì, what does the West or the US rely on? This reflection led me to consider Carl von Clausewitz's "On War" and the concept of coup d'œil (and The Force—for just a second). Michael Pillsbury is a …
Embracing Innovation: The Essential Role of Destiny: DeMarco Banter
I am fortunate to have several individuals whom I can call to bounce off ideas and concepts, and of course, listen to their insights. Among these valued connections is Jeff DeGraff, an innovator with years of experience. During one of our recent conversations, as we wrapped up our call, Jeff imparted a profound statement: "There …
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Navigating the Perplexity of Aporia: A Journey of Intellectual Growth and Discovery: Or Simply “I Don’t Know.” DeMarco Banter
Aporia, a concept deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophy and prominently featured in the dialogues of Socrates, represents a state of intellectual impasse where individuals confront seemingly insurmountable contradictions or uncertainties within their beliefs and knowledge systems. This exploration of aporia delves into its historical origins, philosophical underpinnings, and contemporary significance, seeking to unravel its …
Rolling the Boulder, The Sage and the Rebel: Reason’s Encounter with Life’s Inherent Revolt: DeMarco Banter on Intersections: Stoicism and Existentialism
For years, I have enjoyed reading anything I could find by the Stoic philosophers - Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius. Their insights on cultivating reason, resilience, and inner tranquility in the face of life's difficulties resonated deeply with me. But while pursuing my doctorate, I also became fascinated by the existentialist thinkers like Sartre, Camus, and …
Decoding Asymmetric Doctrine: Revisiting “Unrestricted Warfare,” The Golden Section, and China’s Quest for Victory: DeMarco Banter
Unrestricted Warfare, an arguably influential book by Chinese Air Force Colonels Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui published in 1999, has become a touchstone for understanding the Chinese Communist Party's strategic doctrine. This is probably my fourth reading of this work and I find myself continually drawn back to Chapter 6: "Seeking Rules for Victory" in …



