April 2009 Issue
The people’s budget TO DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES for a 2010 defense budget request that prioritizes the people of the armed forces. There are many reasons to applaud this budget: Its clarity; its...
Battling a behemoth TO THE ARMY for failing to make the Future Combat Systems vehicle program relevant. In his proposal to cancel the $87 billion part of the program dedicated to eight vehicle designs, Gates...
Cutting remarks TO CONGRESS. For all Washington’s talk of Pentagon acquisition reform, congressmen from both sides of the house immediately ignored the steps this budget takes toward that goal and...
Forum pick: From our online discussion boards
Ralph Peters states ‘another valuable tool has been banished, for now, from our arsenal of concepts: pre-emptive attacks.’ ... International law recognizes the right of all...
Ralph Peters states ‘another valuable tool has been banished, for now, from our arsenal of concepts: pre-emptive attacks.’ ... International law recognizes the right of all...
COIN lies we love
When it comes to fighting terrorists and counterinsurgency warfare, we have less intellectual integrity than Bernie Madoff had financial integrity. Priding ourselves on our educational...
By Ralph Peters
When it comes to fighting terrorists and counterinsurgency warfare, we have less intellectual integrity than Bernie Madoff had financial integrity. Priding ourselves on our educational...
By Ralph Peters
Joint’s true meaning
Service branches have always been required to be prepared for just about anything, and that’s only become more true in recent years. Yet maintaining preparedness for a diverse range of...
BY LT. GEN. DAVID A. DEPTULA AND HAROLD “BUCK” ADAMS
Service branches have always been required to be prepared for just about anything, and that’s only become more true in recent years. Yet maintaining preparedness for a diverse range of...
BY LT. GEN. DAVID A. DEPTULA AND HAROLD “BUCK” ADAMS
Mexican flashpoint
Do we need a 21st century version of the Zimmerman telegram to awaken our leaders in Washington? If so, your article “Mexican mayhem” is it [March].
Do we need a 21st century version of the Zimmerman telegram to awaken our leaders in Washington? If so, your article “Mexican mayhem” is it [March].
COIN concept
Although I agree wholeheartedly with the concept of picking and choosing our battles with the goal of maximizing our potential for success, I didn’t get the feeling from Douglas...
Although I agree wholeheartedly with the concept of picking and choosing our battles with the goal of maximizing our potential for success, I didn’t get the feeling from Douglas...
Last resort
Ralph Peters’ article “The damage done” [March] hits hard. His article is right on. The damage done is significant.
Ralph Peters’ article “The damage done” [March] hits hard. His article is right on. The damage done is significant.
Marine One
President Barack Obama's willingness to keep the current fleet of Marine helicopters assigned to the president because the current Marine One “seems adequate” is in sharp...
President Barack Obama's willingness to keep the current fleet of Marine helicopters assigned to the president because the current Marine One “seems adequate” is in sharp...
In this issue
In a speech delivered in Prague in April, President Barack Obama pledged “America’s commitment to take concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons,” beginning...
In a speech delivered in Prague in April, President Barack Obama pledged “America’s commitment to take concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons,” beginning...
Obama’s mixed signals on military programs
During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama expressed his support for the military. But in his address to Congress, designed principally to advocate his economic program, the new...
BY SCOTT HAMILTON
During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama expressed his support for the military. But in his address to Congress, designed principally to advocate his economic program, the new...
BY SCOTT HAMILTON
Team building through an inauguration
On Jan. 20, the eyes of the nation and the world were on the peaceful transfer of leadership of the United States. The military has participated in presidential inaugurations since the...
By Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr.
On Jan. 20, the eyes of the nation and the world were on the peaceful transfer of leadership of the United States. The military has participated in presidential inaugurations since the...
By Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr.
Refusing battle
“Sir, I am deeply concerned about Iraq. The task you have given me is becoming really impossible ... if they (Sunni and Shiite) are not prepared to urge us to stay and to co-operate in...
BY Col. DOUGLAS MacGREGOR (Ret.)
“Sir, I am deeply concerned about Iraq. The task you have given me is becoming really impossible ... if they (Sunni and Shiite) are not prepared to urge us to stay and to co-operate in...
BY Col. DOUGLAS MacGREGOR (Ret.)
Nonlinear Air Force
Charles Ray’s article “Defining lines of authority” [February] was interesting, but the author makes one glaring error. He says “military organizations ... tend...
Charles Ray’s article “Defining lines of authority” [February] was interesting, but the author makes one glaring error. He says “military organizations ... tend...
Pay for Pros
Maj. Myles Caggins highlights the problem of retention, but only offers the same solutions [“A major problem,” December ]. He highlights the issues of his own demographic but...
Maj. Myles Caggins highlights the problem of retention, but only offers the same solutions [“A major problem,” December ]. He highlights the issues of his own demographic but...
Building TSAT
You took exception to the perceived rush by the Pentagon, and the Air Force in particular, in restarting the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program with the intent...
You took exception to the perceived rush by the Pentagon, and the Air Force in particular, in restarting the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program with the intent...
The Air Force at a crossroads
If you happen to stroll around the harbor of Lisbon you are struck by the domineering countenance of Prince Henry the Navigator standing athwart the Monument to the Discoveries. Behind him...
BY ROBERT WILKIE
If you happen to stroll around the harbor of Lisbon you are struck by the domineering countenance of Prince Henry the Navigator standing athwart the Monument to the Discoveries. Behind him...
BY ROBERT WILKIE
Stop the loss To the Army for failing to implement the stop-loss allowances for which 13,000 soldiers are eligible under the law. Last year, Congress approved funding to pay up to $500 per month to those...
Smart power
They say an Army runs on its stomach. The reality is it runs on oil. Lots of it.
BY KAREN WALKER
They say an Army runs on its stomach. The reality is it runs on oil. Lots of it.
BY KAREN WALKER
Greening up the Defense Department
Aboard the ballistic-missile submarine Maryland, on the surface en route from Kings Bay, Ga., to deep water off the continental shelf for diving, a group of journalists was being briefed by...
BY SCOTT HAMILTON
Aboard the ballistic-missile submarine Maryland, on the surface en route from Kings Bay, Ga., to deep water off the continental shelf for diving, a group of journalists was being briefed by...
BY SCOTT HAMILTON
The Afghan mistake
Before we double our combat forces in Afghanistan in an attempt to “win the war,” there are some unpleasant facts we must face and hard questions we must answer. Failure to do so...
BY MAJ. DANIEL L. DAVIS
Before we double our combat forces in Afghanistan in an attempt to “win the war,” there are some unpleasant facts we must face and hard questions we must answer. Failure to do so...
BY MAJ. DANIEL L. DAVIS
Forum pick: From our online discussion boards
The CoCOM must deal with up to 20 or 30 ambassadors. Also, State was designed in a day when it took much longer for the president’s views and guidance to make its way to a country team...
The CoCOM must deal with up to 20 or 30 ambassadors. Also, State was designed in a day when it took much longer for the president’s views and guidance to make its way to a country team...
10 problems with technology
In early 2005, when I was assigned as an assistant battalion intelligence officer with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Baghdad, our section noncommissioned officer in...
BY RAPHAEL COHEN
In early 2005, when I was assigned as an assistant battalion intelligence officer with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Baghdad, our section noncommissioned officer in...
BY RAPHAEL COHEN
Missing the boat
Jon Frankenheimer’s classic 1962 movie, “The Manchurian Candidate,” is an exquisite metaphor for the impending debate over U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea Convention....
By CMDR. JAMES KRASKA
Jon Frankenheimer’s classic 1962 movie, “The Manchurian Candidate,” is an exquisite metaphor for the impending debate over U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea Convention....
By CMDR. JAMES KRASKA
In This Issue
A key word on everyone’s lips as they weigh up our national security needs against new threats and dire economic restraints is the word “balance.” Defense Secretary Robert...
A key word on everyone’s lips as they weigh up our national security needs against new threats and dire economic restraints is the word “balance.” Defense Secretary Robert...
Transition Strategy: Tread carefully
President Barack Obama must insulate his defense policy from political strife. He came into office riding a tidal wave of popularity, but his lack of national security experience still...
By Joseph J. Collins
President Barack Obama must insulate his defense policy from political strife. He came into office riding a tidal wave of popularity, but his lack of national security experience still...
By Joseph J. Collins
Loving Lincoln
“Four score and seven years ago,” the National Park Service Web site proclaims, “Americans of different generations, races, backgrounds and occupations gathered in...
BY CAPT. CHARLES G. KELS
“Four score and seven years ago,” the National Park Service Web site proclaims, “Americans of different generations, races, backgrounds and occupations gathered in...
BY CAPT. CHARLES G. KELS
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In this issue
Posted 7/8/2010 by Administrator
Posted 7/8/2010 by Administrator
Commanding speech
Posted 7/8/2010 by Administrator
Posted 7/8/2010 by Administrator