Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

A harsh NoKo military relief, a farewell to Army Gen. Charles Campbell, and a note from a retired officer that gives me hope

North Korea apparently executed the chief of its army. No reason given, but I am guessing that L’il Kim lost confidence in his ability to command without launching a coup d’etat.

DSCF3016
DSCF3016

North Korea apparently executed the chief of its army. No reason given, but I am guessing that L’il Kim lost confidence in his ability to command without launching a coup d’etat.

North Korea apparently executed the chief of its army. No reason given, but I am guessing that L’il Kim lost confidence in his ability to command without launching a coup d’etat.

In unrelated news, Army Gen. Charles “Hondo” Campbell died. He was the last Vietnam vet to serve as a general officer. He also became, for a moment, a controversial figure in the fallout from the Wanat battle. I did not always understand his actions, but I always had the feeling that he was trying to do the right thing.

Speaking of the brass, we have some fun here writing about reliefs. So I want to point out that lots of retired officers do great things. Here is one note I got, from a recent author in this blog, about what is keeping him busy: “I’m volunteering full time as COO of the local foodbank — largest in north middle [part of this big state]. Pushed out 1.5 million pounds of food this past year not counting mobile kitchen meals we do Tue/Thur/Sat. With the weather we’re having, we’re busy. I’m just tired tonite. Was just one of those days.” Just when I think America has shot itself in the foot, I get a note like that.

And speaking of reliefs, I see where the Army is booting 740 captains. What you all think of this?

Meanwhile, here is the best summary I have seen lately of good American journalism. No one pays enough for it, but that’s OK.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

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

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.