Taking Flight
It was powerful symbol of a sudden shift in the balance-of-power in the Middle East. The “symbol” (in this case) was an Air Force C-17 transport, lifting off from an…
Military Epidemics that Aren't
Today’s essential reading from Thomas Donnelly, writing at The Wall Street Journal. A few excerpts: “…Begin with suicides by servicemen and women, which have increased in recent years—but by dozens of…
Justice for Traitors
After years of fits and starts, military courts have finally imposed justice on Private Bradley Manning and Major Nidal Hassan. Manning, the former intelligence analyst, was found guilty earlier this week of…
Posturing
As of this writing, four U.S. Navy destroyers are on station in the eastern Mediterranean, postioned (ostensibly) for a strike against Syria and its chemical weapons facilities. The move came…
The Gathering Storm (Syria Edition)
It’s often been said that a military plan never survives the first contact with the enemy. By any reasonable estimate, we’re still several days away from a first strike against…
The Last 24 Notes
Today’s reading assignment is from Matt Labash of The Weekly Standard, and his piece on “Bugles Across America,” a volunteer organization that performs “Taps” at the funerals of military retirees and…
Cal Worthington, R.I.P.
Los Angeles car dealer Cal Worthington, in one of his famous TV commercials (Worthington collection via The New York Times) Cal Worthington died Sunday at the age of 92. If…
From Debacle to Disaster
How does a foreign policy crisis move from mere debacle to absolute disaster in the matter of a few hours? Just ask Team Obama. Over a 12-hour span on Monday,…
The Fortress Myth
For the second time in less than four years, there has been a mass shooting at a U.S. military installation. According to Washington, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, at least 12…
Passing the Buck
In the wake of Monday’s mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has, predictably, ordered an inquiry into security practices at the nation’s military installations. According…