DeM Banter: not sure I am buying Friedman's theory. Agree we need a plan and this might look good on paper...but let's ponder execution. Who do you arm? Who are you empowering? Who are the rebels? Can this organization sustain the country and the rule of law? Or do we help create another vacuum to …
AL QAEDA MUST BE CONFRONTED IN SYRIA By Joel Brinkley (and Ogres: DeM Banter)
DeM Banter: Very true... and one of many editorials this AM on Syria, The POTUS, and Congress. The conflict in Syria has morphed several times over the past 2-3 years. Now the rebels are heavily backed by al Qaeda and in some cases...there are not rebels...only al Qaeda. So if Assad is hit are we simply opening …
Continue reading "AL QAEDA MUST BE CONFRONTED IN SYRIA By Joel Brinkley (and Ogres: DeM Banter)"
ADVISORY BOARD TO SUGGEST MILITARY HEAVY ON RESERVES By Andrew Tilghman
DeM Banter: One (of many) holes in this logic...why would anyone sign up? Recall the Brits are facing issues with not being able to meet their recruiting goals as they switched to a heavier reserve component. If you are working 40-60 hours a week to feed the family...would folks take on an additional reserve job--when …
Continue reading "ADVISORY BOARD TO SUGGEST MILITARY HEAVY ON RESERVES By Andrew Tilghman"
Street Killings Underscore Iraq’s Rising Unrest By Adam Schreck
DeM Banter: ...Iraq...not necessarily covered in the mainstream press any longer, but something to pay very close attention to...how do we avoid this? And this with a full ground invasion...using a Libya airpower model in Syria...will it work? Speaking of work...what is success in Syria? And speaking of Libya...things there are not good either...the silence …
Continue reading "Street Killings Underscore Iraq’s Rising Unrest By Adam Schreck"
THE RISK OF DOING NOTHING: Washington Post
DeM Banter: Well thought out piece...and this is indeed a leadership test for not only the US, but the global community as well. It's tough if we believe the military is the only option..if it is....can we offer only a limited option...or does a full scale option have to be on the table as well? …
Continue reading "THE RISK OF DOING NOTHING: Washington Post"
NATO Chief: No Plans For Alliance Action In Syria By Jan M. Olsen
DeM Banter: Here's a thought...maybe it's more a movie plot...but: Assad did not use chemical weapons, but AQ did. The US laid out some red lines and AQ (or their friends and various partners) knew that unleashing chemical weapons in Syria would draw the US into the conflict. UBL made it clear that his plan …
Continue reading "NATO Chief: No Plans For Alliance Action In Syria By Jan M. Olsen"
A Serious Bombing Strategy: WSJ
DeM Banter: not bad...destroy the Air Force...and then? Wall Street Journal August 30, 2013 Pg. 12 The Syrian air force is 'this close to being defeated.' President Obama said Thursday he hasn't decided whether to attack Syria, adding that any strike would be a brief "shot across the bow" in response to the Assad regime's …
Advancing Leadership will Change the World…DeMarco Banter
I am a firm believer in leadership. With strong leadership, everything moves forward. Leaders are advancers. They advance and push the thinking of their teammates right out of the box--smashing the status quo and advancing creativity. Leaders elevate others' performances--making those they work with (and for) better than anyone every thought possible. Leaders improve the …
Continue reading "Advancing Leadership will Change the World…DeMarco Banter"
U.S. Strike Could Pull Nation Into War, Experts Say By Ernesto Londono and Ed O’Keefe
DeM Banter: When there is no strategy to fall back on... and that pesky thing called history points in a different direction...things don't resonate too well. Washington Post August 28, 2013 Pg. 1 Washington has had mixed success with limited intervention An imminent U.S. strike on Syrian government targets in response to the alleged gassing …
Obama Weighing Limited Strike On Syria By Karen DeYoung and Anne Gearan (and a little history)
DeM Banter...A little history...."Nevertheless, the administration believed that something had to be done. If the United States allowed itself to be humiliated by the regime, then its military credibility would be seriously undermined. The regional alliance that the United States led might dissolve as the area's countries lost faith in American protection. Across the world, …
Mastermind Century Group 