Today I learned that terms such as “brave,” “skilled,” “selfless,” and “humane” are trigger words for those who lack such attributes. We’re not supposed to praise others, because that will make the non-praiseworthy feel bad about themselves. Not my problem. This post is dedicated to Andrew Gabriel Rose—poet, author, and painter. Trigger an emission Andrew…
Undisclosed versus covert versus clandestine
April 14, 2016
Military operations are classified as open, clandestine, covert, and undisclosed. Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom were open operations. A clandestine operation was Neptune Spear, the killing of Osama bin Laden by US Navy SEALs of DEVGRU. Though secret at the time, we admitted to it when it was over. Covert operations are actions that everyone…
Reading tea leaves in the Middle East
April 11, 2016
For me, reading the tea leaves in the Middle East is exciting. All I see is good news. Keep in mind, though, the caliber of the people who are reshaping the region. The leaders and the men carrying out combat missions are a new breed. It’ll take decades for the rest of us to catch…
Cataclysm averted…but maybe not for us
April 4, 2016
That which lacks a sense of self-preservation will not survive. The Middle East has avoided a cataclysm, but only because level-headed and skilled leaders worked hard to find solutions. Here in the West, the goal has been to make us stupid and malleable, in the name of expanding the power of government—both liberal and conservative….
Terminators begin the final phase in Syria
April 3, 2016
The end is near in Syria. Thank the Terminators of the Arab League and its allies. This quote is accurate only if you refuse to cooperate. Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity or remorse or fear. And it absolutely…
Jihadists in Syria fall into the Saudi trap
April 2, 2016
In August of 2015, General Anwar Eshki gave an amazing interview to the Wall Street Journal. A former Saudi National Security Adviser, Eshki laid out in plain language what would happen in the Middle East. The Saudis had prepared a trap for the Islamic State; what nobody knew at the time was that this strategy…
Weapon descriptions for Colonel Richard Kemp
March 29, 2016
In answer to a question by Colonel Richard Kemp, this post contains videos of new weapon systems used in the Syrian civil war. My theory is that the Arab League and its Asian, Central Asian, and African allies have created new units called “C6ISR forces,” a term coined by IDF Brigadier General Gal Hirsch (retired)….