tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post1215665882884126017..comments2024-03-28T06:32:24.557-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: The Republican Party of Stupid War on Science: St. Augustine, FloridaDeuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-48275444467274710762015-06-09T02:24:43.703-04:002015-06-09T02:24:43.703-04:00.
The U.S. has lost its compass
The world has ch....<br /><br /><i>The U.S. has lost its compass<br /><br />The world has changed beyond recognition since the turn of the century. The former cold war global chessboard has disintegrated.<br /><br />A new one is in the making, though its structure remains uncertain, in great part because of the difficulties of the erstwhile dominant players to adjust to the new ones.<br /><br />The establishment of the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) resulted principally from the refusal of the U.S. government to make the necessary adjustments in the structure of existing international financial institutions, notably the IMF, as Ben Bernanke recently conceded.<br /><br />The collapse of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Round — and the consequent hijacking of the trade agenda by Washington with exclusionary mega-regional trade deals, TTIP and TPP – are not any more helpful.<br /><br /><b>They presage a world where “we” — and not “they” (the Chinese) — can write the rules of the 21st century trade framework.</b> The arrogant pursuit of such divisiveness further undermines the possibility of building a new, solid and legitimate global governance structure.</i><br /><br />The author seems to think the US has the power to bring about such a world. Here is a rather lengthy analysis that would argue the opposite, that the US going forward could find itself more and more on the periphery of events.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2015/06/08/the_geopolitics_of_american_global_decline_111251.html" rel="nofollow">The Geopolitics of American Global Decline</a><br /><br />.<br /><br />Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-35222710057913238442015-06-09T01:53:44.084-04:002015-06-09T01:53:44.084-04:00As this article may give rise to number of misinte...<i>As this article may give rise to number of misinterpretations, let me make two things clear at the outset.<br /><br />First, the world has a lot to be grateful to the United States, particularly around the middle and during the second half of the last century.<br /><br />...<br /><br />Second, I do not condone Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nor China’s brinkmanship in the South China Sea. Both contribute to regional and global instability and rising tensions.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theglobalist.com/united-states-the-hypocritical-hegemon/" rel="nofollow">Hypocritical Hegemon</a>samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11856051164644278989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-16237482787668480672015-06-09T01:01:39.296-04:002015-06-09T01:01:39.296-04:00.
That's worrisome. Hope he's all right.....<br /><br />That's worrisome. Hope he's all right.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-91549352395154260632015-06-09T00:08:22.111-04:002015-06-09T00:08:22.111-04:00Not a word in over a year.Not a word in over a year.What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-6762344819675638662015-06-08T23:36:35.653-04:002015-06-08T23:36:35.653-04:002nd that2nd thatCharltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-78906578399884507162015-06-08T22:53:56.403-04:002015-06-08T22:53:56.403-04:00.
There is a little sentimental value. I believe....<br /><br />There is a little sentimental value. I believe he was the first guy I argued with here.<br /><br />:o)<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-42031763537381606502015-06-08T22:52:27.970-04:002015-06-08T22:52:27.970-04:00.
WiO, as I recall you used to talk to Allen outs....<br /><br />WiO, as I recall you used to talk to Allen outside this blog. Any news on him?<br /><br />As I remember, over the last couple months he was here, he mentioned a couple times that he was having some health problems. I was just wondering how he was doing.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-63933356943550716172015-06-08T22:51:51.137-04:002015-06-08T22:51:51.137-04:00most likely a few dozen civilians in tow...most likely a few dozen civilians in tow...What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-42647915685026751692015-06-08T22:51:24.584-04:002015-06-08T22:51:24.584-04:00Deuce, you claim my idea that the destruction of t...Deuce, you claim my idea that the destruction of the Palestinian National Project was and is the FINAL Solution.<br /><br />DO you condemn Hamas and Fatah for calling for the total destruction of Israel and the Jewish people as an actual continuation of the REAL Final Solution?<br /><br />DO you condemn Iran for advocating a holiday called "A day without Israel", calling it a virus that needs to be cut out?<br /><br />Are they not "final solutions"?<br /><br />They advocate the actual murder of millions of Jews...<br /><br />Where are your words?What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38187242801842246272015-06-08T22:43:40.719-04:002015-06-08T22:43:40.719-04:00.
43 airstrikes in 2 days. Depending on the ordi....<br /><br />43 airstrikes in 2 days. Depending on the ordinance used (JDAMS, Hellfire) the cost could range anywhere from $1 million to $4 million for the two days (not counting the support which is likely much more expensive). Hopefully, they got something more than pick-up trucks and the odd ISIS fighter.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46106386039258337672015-06-08T22:19:28.623-04:002015-06-08T22:19:28.623-04:00But Deuce brings up the "Final Solution"...But Deuce brings up the "Final Solution"..<br /><br />Let's remember that the Germans and the Arabs conspired to have the final solution to the Jewish question. Mass extermination. <br /><br />The solution for not creating another jihadist nation hardly is about genocide of a people, but rather the SAVING of the people from the evil despots that now control them, their own leaders...<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Not one word of genocide was offered. <br /><br />Maybe the leadership in the arab world is now coming to america in baltimore and other places..<br /><br />:)<br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-9711174799108713162015-06-08T22:06:26.167-04:002015-06-08T22:06:26.167-04:00Yep America just keep bombing...
Accomplished not...Yep America just keep bombing...<br /><br />Accomplished nothing...What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-51411821521085581132015-06-08T22:05:28.095-04:002015-06-08T22:05:28.095-04:00As it stands now?
Arabs killing arabs still leads...As it stands now?<br /><br />Arabs killing arabs still leads the world in tallies...<br /><br />Assad has killed more palestinians in 40 months than died in the war between the arabs and the jews in the last 65 years.<br /><br />Great track record your side has deuce.What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-37285878241251594692015-06-08T22:03:52.171-04:002015-06-08T22:03:52.171-04:00Your specious usage of the term "FINAL SOLUTI...Your specious usage of the term "FINAL SOLUTION" is un-just.<br /><br />The reasonable solution to ensure the average arab has life liberty and pursuit of happiness is NOT creating an additional despotic, murderous, Jihadist nation.<br /><br />Maybe someday you will learn about the arab world and it's treatment of each other, let alone those is hates...What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-57503001956316350222015-06-08T21:55:30.940-04:002015-06-08T21:55:30.940-04:00And, today,
WASHINGTON: The United States and its ...And, today,<br />WASHINGTON: The United States and its allies conducted 21 air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria during a 24-hour period ending on Monday, a US military statement said. <br /><br /> Fourteen strikes in Iraq hit targets near seven different cities, the statement said.<br /><br /> In Syria, five of the seven air raids hit militant targets near the northern town of Kobani.<br /><br /> The attacks were carried out during the 24-hour period ended at 8am local time (1.00am EDT) on Monday, it said. <br /><br />Rufus IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05297231055991566183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-18208261610809827272015-06-08T21:42:51.216-04:002015-06-08T21:42:51.216-04:00While the Republicans are busy declaring defeat:
...While the Republicans are busy declaring defeat:<br /><br /><br /><br />WASHINGTON: The United States and its allies carried out 22 air strikes against Islamic States militants in Syria and Iraq during a 24-hour period to Sunday, a U.S. military statement said.<br /><br />Five of the 11 air raids in Syria targeted Islamic State fighters, vehicles and weapons near the northern city of Kobani, it said. In Iraq, 11 air strikes hit targets near five different cities, the statement said. The attacks were carried out between 8 a.m. (0600 BST) Saturday and 8 a.m. (0600 BST) Sunday.<br /><br /><br />ADVERTISING<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(Reporting by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Kevin Liffey)<br /><br />- Reuters<br /><br /><br /><br />Rufus IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05297231055991566183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-10405723025561974752015-06-08T20:27:16.847-04:002015-06-08T20:27:16.847-04:00The Final Solution. Always a good bet.The Final Solution. Always a good bet.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-78148786201998613492015-06-08T18:43:59.208-04:002015-06-08T18:43:59.208-04:00there is no need for a 22nd arab nation committed ...there is no need for a 22nd arab nation committed to jihad in this world....What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-45217996732986956662015-06-08T18:40:55.659-04:002015-06-08T18:40:55.659-04:00The only good solution?
The complete and total de...The only good solution?<br /><br />The complete and total destruction of the Palestinian National Movement.<br /><br />Just like numerous other peoples in the world that do not have a "nation". The figment of Palestine must be destroyed.<br /><br />The arabs that occupy the lands of Gaza and the west bank should be allow to choose to be part of Egypt, Jordan or Israel.<br /><br />After all Gaza was part and parcel part of Egypt until recently and the same is true for the majority of arabs of the west bank, they USED to be affiliated with Jordan. And those arabs that live in and around Israel's capital Jerusalem should be offered citizenship.<br /><br />OF course, no arabs that have been members of Fatah, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Force 17, ISIS, ISIL, Hezbollah, the PA, (and any other violent national or islamic movements need apply)<br /><br />The reasonable solution is he same as the Kurds have had to deal with, not to mention some other 83 groups of folks far more deserving that the people with can't even say their name.... The Palestinians....<br /><br />The experiment is over and it failed. But there will be no Syria or Jordan before it's over either... So?What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-86226233781230020802015-06-08T18:09:03.884-04:002015-06-08T18:09:03.884-04:00http://www.elal.com/en/USA/Pages/default.aspx?utm_...http://www.elal.com/en/USA/Pages/default.aspx?utm_source=adcenter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ELAL_USA_Brand_Adcenter<br /><br /><br /><br />http://www.elal.com/ELAL/English/ELALCargo/home.aspxCharltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-14058796684734031712015-06-08T16:43:57.162-04:002015-06-08T16:43:57.162-04:00>>The ingredients exist in the region for a ...>>The ingredients exist in the region for a loose ring of containment around ISIS.<<Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-13744259897088678042015-06-08T16:36:51.539-04:002015-06-08T16:36:51.539-04:00Finally, in light of ISIS’s success in Ramadi, we ...Finally, in light of ISIS’s success in Ramadi, we must revisit claimed coalition successes such as the fight at the Syrian border town of Kobani, and the “victory” in Tikrit. It was a mystery why ISIS fought so hard for a worthless border town, in the face of waves of U.S. air attacks. In retrospect, one suspects that they were “going to school” on us—spending lives and equipment to learn how to operate in the face of sustained U.S. air attack, which they apparently have figured out how to do. Central Command has claimed that since the campaign began air attacks have killed 8,500 ISIS fighters. These claims seem implausible. The battle of Tikrit, viewed in light of the Ramadi success, now appears as a matador’s cape, a diversionary operation to draw the attention of Iraqi government forces, militias, the Iranians, and the U.S. away from Anbar province and ISIS’s preparations for the attack on Ramadi. Press reports of ISIS casualties in Tikrit do not suggest large losses. Tikrit was well defended, but not heavily defended — an economy-of-force operation, reliant largely on IEDs. If so, the amount of time and energy and collateral damage it required to re-take that town bodes ill for future attacks on places that ISIS might heavily defend, such as Mosul.<br /><br />(Read more about containment and the fight against ISIS here)<br /><br />Of course, the fog of war only lifted briefly, and we still cannot see the whole picture, which may be worse, or for that matter, better. But the notion that the Iraqi Army, and the supporting U.S.-led coalition, can soon go on the offensive against ISIS seems a fantasy. If instead, an offensive is launched with the collection of Shia militias that now forms the core of the Iraqi government’s military power, heavily supported by U.S. airstrikes, then we can be sure that any victories they might enjoy will be immensely destructive to the local infrastructure, and will be followed by the most brutal repression of the local Sunni Arab population — not the victory for Iraqi civil society U.S. leaders seek, but rather a guarantee of new waves of recruits for jihad.<br /><br />What policy therefore ought the U.S. to follow? The ingredients exist in the region for a loose ring of containment around ISIS. That ring strengthens when ISIS pushes into areas populated by other ethnic or religious groups. The U.S. should buck up these defenders with weapons, money, intelligence, and air strikes, when they are under pressure, but should be under no illusions about their capability to defeat ISIS, re-occupy huge swathes of Iraq, and bring those areas into a cohesive Iraqi political community.<br /><br /><br /><br />http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2015/06/iraqi-army-no-longer-exists/114607/?oref=defenseone_today_nlCharltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-14677316983873692332015-06-08T16:27:40.014-04:002015-06-08T16:27:40.014-04:00The most important fact revealed by ISIS’s victory...The most important fact revealed by ISIS’s victory is that the “Iraqi Army” no longer exists. This is a different observation from that of Secretary of Defense Carter, who avers that they lost the will to fight. Some people did lose the will to fight in Ramadi. But, we should ask a more fundamental question. Ramadi was under siege for months. How is it that few if any reinforcements were sent to defend a city deemed critical to the defense of Baghdad itself? Public sources reported some fourteen divisions in the Iraqi Army in 2014. Between three and five were destroyed in Mosul, leaving nine. At most one was defending Ramadi. Where were the rest? Indeed, where are they now? How is it that Shiite militias must be called upon to liberate Ramadi? If the Iraqi Army has evaporated, or perhaps more accurately deteriorated into a collection of local militias and palace guards, then the U.S.“re-training” mission in Iraq is vastly more difficult than we have been led to believe. Having claimed to build an Iraqi Army, which seems not to exist, and which one doubts ever really existed, the U.S. military is now trying to build another one, from the ground up. Why will things turn out better this time?<br /><br />ISIS’s victory in Ramadi also reveals that it is quite capable, not merely tactically, but at the “operational level.” Put another way, it is good not merely at fights, which require committed fanatics who are good with a gun, but at campaigns, which require canny commanders, logistical support, coordinated mutually supporting battles, movement, and intelligence. In Ramadi, despite U.S. command of the air, ISIS was able to sustain its forces for many months. They were able to manufacture very large truck bombs, requiring tons of explosives, to support their final offensive. They attacked under the cover of a sandstorm, which helped neutralize U.S. air power.<br />The most important fact revealed by ISIS’s victory is that the “Iraqi Army” no longer exists.<br /><br />Finally, in light of ISIS’s success in Ramadi, we must revisit claimed coalition successes such as the fight at the Syrian border town of Kobani, and the “victory” in Tikrit. It was a mystery why ISIS fought so hard for a worthless border town, in the face of waves of U.S. air attacks. In retrospect, one suspects that they were “going to school” on us—spending lives and equipment to learn how to operate in the face of sustained U.S. air attack, which they apparently have figured out how to do. Central Command has claimed that since the campaign began air attacks have killed 8,500 ISIS fighters. These claims seem implausible. The battle of Tikrit, viewed in light of the Ramadi success, now appears as a matador’s cape, a diversionary operation to draw the attention of Iraqi government forces, militias, the Iranians, and the U.S. away from Anbar province and ISIS’s preparations for the attack on Ramadi. Press reports of ISIS casualties in Tikrit do not suggest large losses. Tikrit was well defended, but not heavily defended — an economy-of-force operation, reliant largely on IEDs. If so, the amount of time and energy and collateral damage it required to re-take that town bodes ill for future attacks on places that ISIS might heavily defend, such as Mosul<br /><br /><br />http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2015/06/iraqi-army-no-longer-exists/114607/?oref=defenseone_today_nlCharltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-16124820795127671652015-06-08T16:26:16.123-04:002015-06-08T16:26:16.123-04:00The Iraqi Army No Longer Exists
June 7, 2015
By B...The Iraqi Army No Longer Exists<br /><br />June 7, 2015<br />By Barry Posen<br /><br />ISIS’s victory in Ramadi reveals that containment is the best the U.S. can do for now.<br /><br /> Middle East / Iraq / Commentary <br /><br />The fog of war lies thick over the battlefields of Iraq and Syria. Deliberate enemy deception, willful self-deception, and the complexity of large-scale combat ensure that the truth about war is almost always obscured by a kind of fog. Occasionally a major event parts the clouds and reveals a few fragments of truth, only to have the fog close in again. The collapse of Iraqi defenses in Ramadi is one such event. But we must look quickly to learn anything at all.<br />Subscribe<br />Receive daily email updates:<br /><br />Subscribe to Defense One Today.<br /><br />Be the first to receive updates.<br />Author<br /><br />Barry R. Posen is Ford International Professor of Political Science at MIT, Director of the MIT Security Studies Program, and serves on the Executive Committee of Seminar XXI. Full Bio<br /><br />Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-58615668160981145702015-06-08T16:11:34.736-04:002015-06-08T16:11:34.736-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.com