I have been a bit puzzled for some time with the constant analysis of Russia/Ukraine based on dollars (or euros or rubles). I just listened to a highly respected retired four-star American general explain how Ukraine has “changed the nature of the war” (Wrong, general. They have changed the nature of the fighting.) because they have been able to use thousand-dollar drones to destroy millions … Continue reading War is Not a Bank Ledger
In 1987, my staff college syndicate from the Bundeswehr’s Führungsakademie flew to London to spend 10 days at the British Army’s Command and Staff College in Camberley. The British students were outstanding hosts, treating us warmly and even taking us to watch a West End theatre production. A couple of us re-acquainted ourselves with some of the officers whom we had met when they came … Continue reading Ceding Won Terrain
When public figures attempt to explain what they are doing, they often look to historical examples to prop up their arguments, especially when those arguments are weak. There is an obvious risk with this tactic. If you do not understand the lesson of the history you cite, then calling upon the ghosts of the past as a pretext for your actions just makes you look … Continue reading Using History to Support Stupidity
Canada is and has been for many decades, a middle power. Middle powers are destined to choose wisely when picking friends, allies, and adversaries. I have long maintained that Canada has no “natural” enemies. Those whom we count as “enemies” are there by association. Our close friends and allies determine the list for one simple reason: Canada strives to be a friend to everyone and a foe to none. But such … Continue reading Evolving as a Middle Power
Those of a certain age will recall a book from the 1970 called Future Shock. In the book husband and wife American futurists Alvin and Heidi Toffler introduced to their readership the concept of life accelerating. The premise was that society was undergoing rapid change and that for many, it was “too much too fast.” The book was a massive bestseller, and I recall reading … Continue reading The Urgent vs The Important
Happy New Year to our podcast listeners, Marty here. I am the one who sits on the other side of the mic from Chuck for our Enlightened Military Podcasts. Over the holidays the podcast had some technical difficulties and to resolve then we have had to recreate the YouTube site from scratch. As all good military members know “Two is One and One is None” … Continue reading To the Enlightened Military Subscribers
At the end of the 1970 movie Tora! Tora! Tora!, Imperial Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is quoted as saying that all the attack on Pearl Harbor had achieved was to “wake the sleeping tiger.” The quote is apocryphal but there is an Italian idiom that says Anche si non e vero, e ben trovato. This Renaissance phrase attributed philosopher Giordano Bruno translates to “even if … Continue reading Waking the Sleeping Tigers
One of the cultural proclivities that has always been a head scratcher to me is why we Canadians do not leverage the great technologies we create for our own advantage. The list of Canadian inventions/developments/breakthroughs is truly breathtaking and SADLY one of our best kept secrets. This morning I stumbled upon the latest one and I simply had to share it. I won’t repeat what … Continue reading Canadian Technology Meets Strategy
For my entire adult life, we Canadians have taken for granted that we would inextricably link most of our national policies with America. Most, not all. But that close and amicable relationship did not, could not, foresee that one day there might be a US government that could not care less about Canada. That there might be a government that only saw us as a … Continue reading Decoupling from the Great Republic
