Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks’ daily take on national security.
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Covers of Just War Reconsidered and War and the Art of Governance (University Press of Kentucky/Georgetown University Press) Dubik’s ‘Just War Reconsidered’ and Schadlow’s ‘War and the Art of Governance’: A double review
As the United States struggles through its sixteenth year of continuous wars two books have come out that should become required leading for national leaders, both civil and military, charged with the responsibility to bring our wars to a successful conclusion — an outcome that so far has eluded them.
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General Grant and General Sherman (Library of Congress) A book I contemplated writing, but it’s already been done: ‘Grant and Sherman’
Assessing two books on Grant and Sherman
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Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) logo (Wikimedia Commons). Two new books on Pakistan’s ISI and its ‘War for National Survival’
With all the press on Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate’s (ISI) activities over the years, our shelves should be bulging with books dissecting the service.
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Left: Major General Julian Ewell in 1968. (Octofoil magazine); Right: General Frederick Weyand. (United States Army) ‘Innovation as a Discipline, Not Fad’
“Successful new innovators ask, ‘What must be true for this idea to succeed?’”
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Female Marine Corps recruits undergo combat training at the United States Marine Corps on Parris Island, South Carolina in 2004. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Marine captain: My Marine Corps doesn’t know how to treat its female members
The Marine Corps needs to ensure that women are not punished for choosing to have families.
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The cover of The Expanding Blaze: How the American Revolution Ignited the World, 1775-1848. Book excerpt: The last time American anti-Enlightenment sentiment soured world opinion on the United States
This excerpt from The Expanding Blaze: How the American Revolution Ignited the World, 1775-1848, by Jonathan Israel, is from the conclusion, about the United States in the 1850s.
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SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA What the hell is wrong at the American Legion? Some thoughts from a member
Denise Rohan’s statement does not carry the Legion’s legacy forward.
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Edgar on Strategy (IV): A conversation with a Turkish strategic corporal
A brief cross-cultural exchange shows why political philosophy matters and why our strategic alliances require a nuanced approach.
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do not pet dog A giant among dogs
Brock, a Giant Schnauzer, works for Air Force security.
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TO GO WITH STORY: Vietnam-US-war-media, FEATURE by Cat Barton This picture taken on April 11, 2015 shows a man walking next to propaganda posters displayed at an open-air exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Many US soldiers who fought in Vietnam will remember the dulcet tones of Hanoi Hannah, the silky-voiced communist radio correspondent who urged young American GIs to stop fighting and go home . AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH Nam (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) ‘Vietnam’ Ep. 10 and last: A conclusion?
Until the majority of people in this country agree to close ranks when the nation goes to war, the memories of Vietnam will linger.
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S11961 ‘Vietnam’: Tom’s own view
Thus far I’ve held off, because I didn’t want to get in the way of Charles Krohn’s reviews.
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Bad_Santa_2_poster-3 Military reliefs, ousters, and such
I didn’t think I’d be running another one of these roundups so soon, but news keeps popping up about military misdeeds.
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WASHINGTON, : American youths stage a rally 30 November 1965 in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. protesting United States military involvement in the Vietnam war. (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images) ‘Vietnam’ 9: An unfinished tale
Despite striving for nuance, episode 9 favors those who opposed the war more than those who fought it.
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delphi Edgar on Strategy (III): A good strategy rests atop solid philosophical foundations
Political philosophy provides a foundation from which we can imagine and discuss strategy productively.
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Kent_State_massacre ‘Vietnam’ Ep. 8: Trouble at home
This episode is mostly about My Lai and Kent State. I abstain from commenting.
