Everyone thinks they know what strategy is. But the definition of strategy seems to be malleable. A bit like pushing on a badly under inflated balloon. If you press on one portion of the balloon, another portion rises. The limited amount of trapped air simply shifts. In the many various definitions of strategy, there is inevitably some amount of commonality of terms, but no two … Continue reading Strategic Patience

Most readers will recognized Carl von Clausewitz’s most often cited statement that “War is the continuation of politics by other means.” This declaration, often misinterpreted — even by famous military thinkers like chiefs of the German General Staff — is pregnant with meaning. Today, I would like to share an incident that I have thought of regularly in the nearly four decades since it occurred. … Continue reading Military Thinking and Politics

My irregular rants are supposed to somehow be linked to war and warfare, and this one will get there … eventually. The philosopher Heraclitus lived in Greece in the 6th Century BC and is credited with the statement that character is fate. I was raised with that precept, and that is the theme of this short essay. In the West, we seem to have lost … Continue reading Heraclitus

Near the end of WW I, British Maj Gen JFC Fuller, a tank officer and military theorist, as part of his “Plan 1919” introduced a concept, which he called “Brain Warfare.” The idea was to disable an enemy by attacking command-and-communications infrastructure rather than by focusing on troop attrition. This was a form of psychological paralysis because mechanized troops and tanks would cut into the enemy … Continue reading Brain Warfare

The famous Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist, is often quoted for his admonition regarding those who forget the lessons of the past. We are currently living through three examples of his warning, each capable of igniting the fuse of another world war. The first is the People’s Republic of China; the second is the Russian Federation; and the third is MAGA America. All three … Continue reading George Santayana Redux

The current president of the US is convinced, as are many Americans, that the USA is an indispensable nation. Arguably, this view is widely shared. But is it true? Certainly, the liberal world order established by the US at Bretton Woods in 1944, made the US a world financial and political hegemon. No question. It is also true that many countries came to be complacent … Continue reading The Indispensable Nation

I would like to tell you about a new novel from an old friend of my sons. Matt Jones’ novel comes out soon and you need to have a look. Matt’s new novel is a poignant study in humanity, pain, suffering and war, but not the way you think. In turns pensive, profane and sardonic, this tale of a young officer’s journey of self-discovery is a poignant … Continue reading A Different Novel on Afghanistan

Several times this week I have seen American philosopher George Santayana quoted. He famously said in 1905 that those “who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Nice and catchy but what does it actually mean? History does not repeat itself. Arguably, to quote Mark Twain to whom the saying is attributed, “it often rhymes.” In the civil-military relationship, we are seeing an … Continue reading Historical Amnesia

Tactical Jazz is now available on Amazon as an ebook as well as a paperback as Book 4 of the Essential Guides to War and Warfare. TRUST, ADAPT AND IMPROVISE Books on leadership too often read like manufacturer’s assembly manuals: Insert Tab A into Slot B, and so on. Tactical Jazz provides a uniquely different approach. It casts ideas at the reader as pebbles are … Continue reading New Book Released

In Greek mythology, Hubris was the goddess who personified arrogance, insolence, and violence. Let us consider another national leader who felt aggrieved and wanted to teach neighbouring countries a lesson. Between 1936 and 1941 Adolf Hitler made a series of bold and dramatic moves, both political and military. Late in 1941, the tide turned. Why? Why was Germany so successful for so long but unable … Continue reading Hubris