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Gen Mattis: Joint Forces Staff College Years ago I attended Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk VA, General Mattis commanded the Joint Forces Command at the time. One afternoon he gave a lecture on the Royal Navy in the Battle of Trafalgar vs the Battle of Jutland and I have pondered that lecture ever since. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "Embracing Innovation: The Essential Role of Destiny: 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 …
I am sure many remember the 2007 movie starring Tom Hanks, Charlie Wilson's War. The film dramatizes a significant yet somewhat underappreciated episode from the Cold War era, focusing on the unconventional and charismatic U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson. With the help of his sharp CIA operative ally, Gust Avrakotos, Wilson launched a covert operation that …
"In Dulce Decorum" by The Damned, released in 1986, captures a unique cultural and historical moment, blending the punk rock edge with a gothic aesthetic amidst the undercurrents of the waning Cold War. The song title, borrowing from a Latin phrase famously critiqued by poet Wilfred Owen during World War I, hints at a deeper …
Continue reading "In Dulce Decorum: The Damned, The Cold War, 1986 and DeMarco Banter"
The seven military classics of ancient China are a group of influential military treatises were written during the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD) and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD). These texts were considered essential reading for military leaders and strategists in ancient China, and they continue to be studied and analyzed for their insights …
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