The French revolutionaries of the 18th century were so committed to overthrowing their monarchy that they went so far as to scrub from existence the very calendar of the year. Their goal was quite radical; revising the number and length of weeks in a month and even the number of minutes Read more…
Thirty-two years ago today, the US and its Gulf War coalition were enjoying our first day of ceasefire after vanquishing the Iraqi Army. It was a remarkable accomplishment that was the result of building the most capable military the world had ever seen. Certainly, the building of that coalition by Read more…
On 23 February 1991, we were all very focused and ready to “get on with it.” For the previous 7 days we had conducted destructive artillery raids on the Iraqi 26th Infantry Division that sat in front of us blocking our way into Iraq. They would not obstruct us much longer. That day Read more…
It’s been thirty-two years since the first rounds went downrange in what would be eight days of artillery raids on Iraqi forces opposite the 1st Infantry Division. In that war, the First Gulf War, we sought to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s invasion when I was part of the Division Artillery Read more…
Here is a State of the Union address we need to hear. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, and my fellow Americans, Article II: Section 3 of our Constitution states that the President should “from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, Read more…
Recently a very thoughtful colleague in an online discussion group concerning national security challenged us to draft a paper on what politicians should know about employing the US military. Such would be a tutorial of sorts with historical vignettes, lessons learned, and perhaps an assessment of how other selected nations think Read more…
In recent years, our nation has been beset with many problems. I’ve written about a few. But I am struck by how consistent we have been, particularly in insisting on notions, ideas, and theories that are at best silly and at worst deceitful. Some of those consistencies are remarkable. Take for example Read more…
Today is a typical wintery day in Virginia. It’s chilly, wet, and cloudy. There’s nothing romantic about that. Dismal weather wins out today. Such a day reflects how many in America see the state of our nation. There is so much to worry about that it’s hard not to sink into dreariness about our Read more…
Following New Year’s Day, two legislatures convened. On 11 January, the Virginia General Assembly went into session in Richmond, Virginia. Ninety miles north—following a rather raucous beginning in the House of Representatives—the US Congress convened in Washington, DC. There’s much to be learned concerning both. In Richmond, the Virginia General Assembly is Read more…
Some months ago, a fellow veteran and colleague recommended that I read William Manchester’s The Arms of Krupp: The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Dynasty That Armed Germany at War. It’s especially delightful when an author has researched the topic in detail, but also writes with riveting clarity, richly describing the Read more…