Pakistan: the epicenter of instability in South Asia?

Strategy Page points out that Pakistan’s own internal instability is destabilizing South Asian nations around it.  It’s not a hopeful picture for US involvement in Afghanistan. Imran Khan, the newly elected prime minister of Pakistan, has proved himself very much a tool of the Pakistani military. Khan openly and enthusiastically supports the Islamic terrorist violence… Continue reading Pakistan: the epicenter of instability in South Asia?

War with China?

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows”, as Bob Dylan reminded us.  China’s economy is suffering serious setbacks right now, largely due to President Trump refusing to allow the USA to continue to subsidize China by up to a trillion dollars every year due to trade imbalances and disadvantages.  That… Continue reading War with China?

“The coming crime wars”

That’s the title of a very good article in Foreign Policy.  I can confirm its accuracy from extensive personal experience in the Third World.  Let’s begin with an excerpt. Wars are on the rebound. There are twice as many civil conflicts today, for example, as there were in 2001. And the number of nonstate armed… Continue reading “The coming crime wars”

We need to tread very carefully in the Middle East

I’m growing more and more concerned about the escalating conflict in Syria, particularly the war of words between the USA and Russia.  It seems pretty pointless to me from a US national security perspective.  Precisely what vital national security interest does the USA have in Syria, that would justify the deaths of US servicemen in… Continue reading We need to tread very carefully in the Middle East

Another nail in the coffin of the Afghanistan campaign

It appears that Pakistan’s newly elected leader, Imran Khan, has a mind of his own when it comes to the US campaign in Afghanistan. I can’t say I blame him.  As I’ve said many times before in these pages (most recently just last week), there is no military solution possible in Afghanistan.  If that’s the… Continue reading Another nail in the coffin of the Afghanistan campaign

The other side of the “tariff war” with China

There’s a great deal of talk in the news about the tariffs President Trump has imposed, and/or threatened to impose, on imports from China.  That’s an ongoing issue that isn’t likely to be resolved overnight.  However, it’s worth bearing in mind that, while the US economy overall is larger and stronger than the Chinese, that’s… Continue reading The other side of the “tariff war” with China

Remembering the Vela Incident

Older readers may remember rumors of a nuclear explosion in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1979, which could not be verified at the time.  This became known as the Vela Incident.  A recent news report claims new evidence indicates that it was, indeed, a nuclear bomb. Ever since the flash was observed by a U.S.… Continue reading Remembering the Vela Incident

A different view of President Trump’s election and the backlash against it

Courtesy of a link at Borepatch’s place, I found four articles analyzing the history of the Trump “insurgent campaign” for the presidency, and why the reaction against it – and him – from the progressive Left has been so overwhelming.  They provide additional details and insight that I haven’t found elsewhere. The author calls the… Continue reading A different view of President Trump’s election and the backlash against it

A penetrating analysis by William S. Lind

William S. Lind is a well-known conservative commenter on US military affairs and geopolitics.  Many consider him rather “kooky”, and way off base, but even so, he often makes me think with some of his perspectives.  I don’t agree with all his positions, but I’m more than willing to tip my hat in his direction… Continue reading A penetrating analysis by William S. Lind

I think these two have the right of it

I’ve previously made it clear that, despite possible missteps, I think President Trump was on the right track in dealing with Russia.  If you didn’t watch the video interview with him I posted over the weekend, I suggest you do so now, because it makes even more sense in the light of the clip below.… Continue reading I think these two have the right of it