Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

More space dogs: Spock and his evil twin. Plus, Rebecca’s hideout is discovered!

The dogs’ mother, Elissa, reports that, “They are Mini Schnauzers. Good Spock is Sweetie, and Evil Spock is Fritz. They are 4, turning 5 in April. They are littermates, siblings, and very close. “They don’t like wearing clothes, but put up with it for Halloween. As for space travel, they know mommy (me) likes watching ...

spocks2
spocks2

The dogs’ mother, Elissa, reports that, “They are Mini Schnauzers. Good Spock is Sweetie, and Evil Spock is Fritz. They are 4, turning 5 in April. They are littermates, siblings, and very close.

“They don't like wearing clothes, but put up with it for Halloween. As for space travel, they know mommy (me) likes watching it on TV and reading about it. To my shame they have no interest in Dr Who, but do like ST:TOS reruns. (I think its the background beeps-- sounds like their squeaky toys.)”

Meanwhile, it turns out that Rebecca, our roving chief canine correspondent, did not join the circus, but instead has been hanging with Conan. Here’s the evidence: She will be on his show talking about her book War Dogs this coming Monday, Feb. 9.

The dogs’ mother, Elissa, reports that, “They are Mini Schnauzers. Good Spock is Sweetie, and Evil Spock is Fritz. They are 4, turning 5 in April. They are littermates, siblings, and very close.

“They don’t like wearing clothes, but put up with it for Halloween. As for space travel, they know mommy (me) likes watching it on TV and reading about it. To my shame they have no interest in Dr Who, but do like ST:TOS reruns. (I think its the background beeps– sounds like their squeaky toys.)”

Meanwhile, it turns out that Rebecca, our roving chief canine correspondent, did not join the circus, but instead has been hanging with Conan. Here’s the evidence: She will be on his show talking about her book War Dogs this coming Monday, Feb. 9.

Photo Credit: E Klotz Photo

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

More from Foreign Policy

Vladimir Putin speaks during the Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at The Konstantin Palace on July 25, 2015 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Vladimir Putin speaks during the Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at The Konstantin Palace on July 25, 2015 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

What Putin Got Right

The Russian president got many things wrong about invading Ukraine—but not everything.

Dmitry Medvedev (center in the group of officials), an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is now deputy chairman of the country's security council, visits the Omsktransmash (Omsk transport machine factory) in the southern Siberian city of Omsk.
Dmitry Medvedev (center in the group of officials), an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is now deputy chairman of the country's security council, visits the Omsktransmash (Omsk transport machine factory) in the southern Siberian city of Omsk.

Russia Has Already Lost in the Long Run

Even if Moscow holds onto territory, the war has wrecked its future.

Sri Lankan construction workers along a road in Colombo.
Sri Lankan construction workers along a road in Colombo.

China’s Belt and Road to Nowhere

Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy is a “shadow of its former self.”

Dalton speaks while sitting at a table alongside other U.S. officials.
Dalton speaks while sitting at a table alongside other U.S. officials.

The U.S. Overreacted to the Chinese Spy Balloon. That Scares Me.

So unused to being challenged, the United States has become so filled with anxiety over China that sober responses are becoming nearly impossible.