In a recent interview, Professor Emeritus Stephen Kotkin referred to Ukraine as the “Walmart of defence tech” and wondered aloud why the US wasn’t spending huge sums of money to buy and/or license Ukrainian drone and anti-drone technology. In the last few months, we have seen practically every Gulf Arab state do exactly that. What exactly is the US strategy? The truth seems to be … Continue reading Never Again
For those who have asked themselves why my first book, Praxis Tacticum: The Art, Science and Practice of Military Tactics has not been translated into Japanese, your wait has ended. Thanks to the good graces of Colonel Munenori Umeda, the Chief of Staff, 7th Armored Division Headquarters, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, my publisher Double Dagger Books has just informed me that they have a signed … Continue reading Exciting News
I recently listened to an excellent interview of the renowned Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan and as always when I listen to intelligent, thoughtful people like her, Professor Emeritus MacMillan caused me to think — about all sorts of things. One of her comments that struck me, probably because I never actually thought about it before, was that history does not provide lessons; it provides examples. … Continue reading History, Examples, and Dead Rats
In our latest podcast Marty and I talk about money as it relates to the duties and responsibilities of commanding troops. I talk about my different approach, how it initially annoyed my NCOs and the path I took to help them understand my motives and actions. Continue reading Marty and Chuck Talk About Money and Command
Let’s look at this issue from a strategic point of view. In my personal opinion, if there were a blatant attack on Estonia, or Latvia, or (name the NATO member) and that country invoked Article 5 of the NATO Charter, then I believe that NATO would respond. How NATO would respond is a different issue. There would be individual countries that might not offer combat … Continue reading Would NATO go to war with Russia over Estonia? Latvia?
Nobel prize winning economist Paul Krugman published an OpEd in today’s New York Times titled “The Moose That Roared”. Nice little article referring PM Carney ordering his negotiators to walk away from the US trade negotiators and come home to Canada. Dr Krugman (alluding to the movie where a small European Duchy declares war on the US) boldly predicts that Canada will come out ahead … Continue reading Don’t Mess With the Moose
Having a leader who understands the difference between immediate gain and long-term success is existentially important. This distinction is true for all leaders, but especially at the national level. Irrespective of the form of government, having a leader who, to paraphrase the poet Robert Browning, has a reach that exceeds his grasp, can be the difference between peace and war; prosperity and impecunity; calm and … Continue reading Engagement is not Approval
