Winslow Wheeler: Iraq Invasion at 10 Years — Learning from the Past

The media is doing its usual vapid tour of the 10th “anniversary” of the American invasion of Iraq. Far better to consider how the nation permitted the disgrace to happen. Mike Lofgren cites three important lessons to learn. For myself, I believe it most important to consider the domestic politics and careerist posturing that drives …

Chuck Spinney: Neo-Imperialism and the Arrogance of Ignorance with Extended Comments and Additional Readings

My latest screed on US pol-mil policy, a shorter version of this appeared on 27 Feb in the Time Battleland Blog here. Chuck Spinney Africa and AFRICOM:Neo-Imperialism and the Arrogance of Ignorance by FRANKLIN C. SPINNEY Counterpunch, WEEKEND EDITION MARCH 1-3, 2013 Most Americans do not realize the extent to which the U.S. is becoming involved …

Marcus Aurelius: White House Corruption + Flag Corruption = Defense Meltdown [Robert Steele: 2 Out of 3]

Add to this escalation of toxic leadership, particularly in Army, and senior leader incompetence [see Tom Ricks’ book, The Generals] and you get an unappealing prospect]. W/R/T Gen. Mattis specifically, his competence, integrity — and candor — are legendary.  His summary characterization of U.S. Marine is classic:  “no better friend, no worse enemy.”   I’ve heard Mackubin Owens …

DefDog: Air Force Creates Valor Medal for Video Kills UPDATED 18 Feb 2013

UPDATED 18 Feb 2013 to add Reactions This is absolutely insane….ranks higher than a Bronze Star for Valor and cannot be awarded for serving in a combat zone. The Air Force pushed it in an effort to control the Drone and Cyber environment….Air Force would not let any comments from Afghanistan….payoff for the homage of …

Berto Jongman: Italy’s Former Spy Chief Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for CIA Rendition in 2003

Italy’s ex-spy chief convicted over 2003 CIA rendition Italy’s former intelligence chief Nicolo Pollari has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the rendition of a terror suspect. The court in Milan also sentenced his former deputy Marco Mancini to nine years in jail over the 2003 kidnapping. Italy’s courts have …

GI Wilson: Republicans Focus on Malfeasance by Brenner and CIA 7th Floor

MILNET passing this around. Brennan-led secret raids may have led to Benghazi retaliation, book claims EXTRACT “Brennan waged his own unilateral operations in North Africa outside of the traditional command structure,” the book says, calling it an “off the books” operation not coordinated with Petraeus and the CIA.   The authors then claim that these raids …

DefDog: Was Petraus Bombed By a Zionist Bimbo Honey Trap? + Broadwell RECAP

The article reads as if JSOG and CIA were having a fight and JSOG wanted Petraeus gone.  That is not consistent with other reports that suggest that JSOG is not happy with CIA at the operational and analytic levels, and it also does not fully address the much higher probability that Broadwell, who is Jewish, …