A question: Why is it that when one of India’s more influential English-language policy journals devotes an entire issue towards “stepping up in Afghanistan”, nobody in the rest of the English speaking world notices? India’s role in the region means something, right? Now, the Indian Army quickly shot the idea down, but I find it […]
Matt Armstrong has written an impressive memo for the Progressive Policy Institute on the innovations needed to transform the Department of State into a competitive arm of the United State’s foreign policy machinery. The report is only five pages in length, and I recommend it without reservation to all of my readers. In the memo […]
The greatest threat to the safety and liberty of the American people is recognized by very few. Though formidable in their own right, this hazard is not posed by any state among the new class of rising great powers. Nor is the great danger to be found among transnational terror networks, violence caused by religious […]
Several months ago I wrote a post speculating on possible policy responses for the United States if Al Qaeda lodged itself into Yemen’s insurgency. In an attempt to instigate discussion on the matter (a goal that appears to have failed), the post included the following questions: If a terror network were to establish itself in […]
A general note to my readers – The Edge of the American West (in conjunction with H-War) is hosting the annual Military History Carnival on January 17th, 2010. Do not hesitate to submit any posts if you have quality material. Otherwise, join in on the fun on the 17th with the rest of the blogosphere’s […]
After a few weeks hiatus, I am now able to devote some time to blogging. The world has not held still in my absence; over the course of the last month the Lisbon Treaty was ratified, Washington decided to send 30,000 men to Afghanistan, Andhra Pradesh fragmented into two parts, MEND rebels drove Shell out […]
Still busy. However, a few people have made up for my lack of posting with good work of their own. Here are the four pieces published in the last two weeks I found most useful: None Dare Call it a Rogue State Mark Safranksi. Zenpundit. 9 December 2009. A vital post on the insanity of […]
I regret to say that my posting shall be rather sparse until Christmas time. Until then my schedule is too crowded to allow any posts beyond a few links to the places still producing good work. To make up for this deficit of material, I offer this incredibly funny Saturday Night Live skit for your […]
Philippines ‘witness’ recounts killings Al Jazeera. 26 November 2009. This video is the best I have yet seen on the Mindanao massacre. Al Jazeera has once again has trumped Western news organizations in investigative ability. The composure of Ismael Mangudadatu is astounding. To lose a wife and a sister and still have the fortitude to […]
Human Rights Watch sent this gem to my inbox today: Saudi Arabia: Witchcraft and Sorcery Cases on the Rise.Human Rights Watch. 25 November 2009. (Kuwait City) – The cassation court in Mecca should overturn the death sentence imposed on Ali Sabat by a lower court in Medina on November 9 for practicing witchcraft, Human Rights […]