An excellent critique of Israel’s grand strategy …

08 Wild Cards, Cultural Intelligence
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Chuck Spinney Sounds Off...

… which is to morally isolate itself by making enemies faster than it can kill them.

If Israel's behaviour continues unchecked, the pro-Israeli biases in and distortions of US policies will intensify our own isolation, until something snaps in our polity — and then, Israel will be all alone.

Read rest of article….

IMO … Israel's only constructive option is to do a grand strategic U turn, which Israel's leadership steadfastly refuses to do.  On the contrary, it shows every sign of digging itself deeper into the self-destructive bunker mentality described by M.J. Rosenberg below.

[Interested readers will find a summary of the basic ideas underpinning a constructive grand strategy, which are universal, in this blaster, where I criticized the US grand strategy pursued by the Bush Administration.]

Why Is Israel So Blind?

MJ Rosenberg, Political Correction, February 02, 2011 3:55 pm ET

Those of us in the pro-Israel, pro-peace camp do not enjoy being proven right — although we invariably are.

Our standard recommendation to Israel is that it should move quickly to achieve agreements with the Arab states and the stateless Palestinians before it is too late.

And the Israeli response is that there is no urgency to make peace — except on Israeli terms — because Israel is strong and the Arabs are weak.

Read rest of article….

Rules for Governing Cyber-Conflict

Advanced Cyber/IO
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First Joint Russian-U.S. report on Cyber Conflict

The EastWest Institute released the first joint Russian-American report aimed at defining the “rules of the road” for cyber conflict.  Prepared by a team of Russian and U.S. experts convened by EWI, Working Towards Rules for Governing Cyber Conflict: Rendering the Geneva and Hague Conventions in Cyberspace explores how to extend the humanitarian principles that govern war to cyberspace.

“Today, nearly all critical civilian infrastructure is online, from the electricity grids that support hospitals to the systems that guide passenger planes through the air,” says EWI Chief Technology Officer and Distinguished Fellow Karl Rauscher, who led the U.S. experts group.  “And, by and large, it is not protected by international norms.”

Phi Beta Iota: Pity they did not think of this when Winn Schwartau first brought it up in 1990 testimony to Congress, or Robert Steele first documented with precision what was needed in 1994.  Colin Gray in Modern Strategy: Time is the one strategic asset that cannot be bought nor replaced.  We've wasted 20 years and we look like we are about to waste another 20.

Obama to Clapper: “Disappointed.” Duh.

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UPDATED to ADD USMC NIT 1991 & 3 articles.

In 1991 the Marine Corps proposed a redirection of National Intelligence Topics (NIT) toward the Third World and Global Coverage.  Here is what was proposed and refused, following upon General Al Gray's article, “Global Intelligence Challenges in the 1990's“:

Reference: USMC Proposed Alternative National Intelligence Topics (NIT) (1991)

An Intelligence Failure in Egypt? (The Atlantic)

Egypt and US Intelligence – Another Failure to use Social Media well? (FastForward)

Washington’s new myth: “intelligence failure” in Egypt: Regime change has been planned for years (Global Researcher)

US intelligence on Arab unrest draws criticism

Kimberly Dozier, Fri Feb 4, 2011

WASHINGTON – U.S. intelligence agencies are drawing criticism from the Oval Office and Capitol Hill that they failed to warn of revolts in Egypt and the downfall of an American ally in Tunisia.

Worth a full read including Charlie Allen's comments….

Phi Beta Iota: The time has come for an open letter on this matter.

ON INTELLIGENCE: Open Letter to the President

Continue reading “Obama to Clapper: “Disappointed.” Duh.”

From Egypt to Connecticut–Burning Mansions

03 Economy, 07 Other Atrocities, 09 Justice, Commerce, Cultural Intelligence, Government
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Egypt’s Ire Turns to Confidant of Mubarak’s Son

CAIRO — As Egyptians turned their anger on symbols of the state late last month, torching police stations along with the headquarters of President Hosni Mubarak’s ruling party, they reserved a special hatred for a garish building with black tinted windows in an upscale neighborhood, setting fire to it three times.

Read more….

Phi Beta Iota: Americans are slow to anger, but we see the day coming when Connnecticut mansions begin to burn….the preconditions for revolution in the USA are virtually all present.

Righteous: Lea Michele’s America the Beautiful

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Superbowl XLV (45) will be remembered for great football, and one wonderful rendition of America the Beautiful.  Worth a listen….

Click To Hear Her SING!

The singer and actress, who is nominated for a Grammy alongside her “Glee” castmembers, belted a straightforward version of “America the Beautiful” to help kick off the game (she was followed by Christina Aguilera's vampy rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”). Sporting a cream-colored coat and camel-hued wide-leg trousers with her brown locks in soft waves, Michele coolly crooned the patriotic standard surrounded by service members in navy suits under the shadow of red, white and blue flags. The star gently cooed throughout most the performance, but showcased her robust pipes by holding the last note for few seconds.

Call for Papers 31 March UN Aerospace Power

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ON THE WINGS OF PEACE: AEROSPACE POWER IN UN OPERATIONS
Workshop, 15-16 June 2011, Trenton, Ontario

Aerospace power has always been an important element of UN peace operations. At first, aerospace power was limited to transport and basic observation, but the complexity of UN operations has increased the need for support from air and space-based assets. Mission requirements have expanded to include the provision of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and when required, the application of force. This workshop will explore the evolution of aerospace power in UN operations past, present, and future.

Individuals wishing to submit a paper for consideration should address it to one of the co-chairs listed below no later than 31 March 2011. Proposals should be at least 200 words in length and include a curriculum vitae (CV). This conference will take place on 15 and 16 June, 2011, at the Canadian Forces Base Trenton, CFAWC, 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Walter Dorn
Canadian Forces College
416-482-6800 x 6539
dorn@cfc.dnd.ca, http://walterdorn.org/events-and-activities

Major Bill March
Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre
613-392-2811 x 4656
william.march@forces.gc.ca ,

http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/AFHWS/AFHWS_2011_e.asp

Event: 15-16 June Ontario UN Aerospace Power

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ON THE WINGS OF PEACE:

AEROSPACE POWER IN UN OPERATIONS
Workshop, 15-16 June 2011, Trenton, Ontario

Aerospace power has always been an important element of UN peace operations. At first, aerospace power was limited to transport and basic observation, but the complexity of UN operations has increased the need for support from air and space-based assets. Mission requirements have expanded to include the provision of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and when required, the application of force. This workshop will explore the evolution of aerospace power in UN operations past, present, and future.

Individuals wishing to submit a paper for consideration should address it to one of the co-chairs listed below no later than 31 March 2011. Proposals should be at least 200 words in length and include a curriculum vitae (CV). This conference will take place on 15 and 16 June, 2011, at the Canadian Forces Base Trenton, CFAWC, 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Walter Dorn
Canadian Forces College
416-482-6800 x 6539
dorn@cfc.dnd.ca, http://walterdorn.org/events-and-activities

Major Bill March
Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre
613-392-2811 x 4656
william.march@forces.gc.ca ,

http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/AFHWS/AFHWS_2011_e.asp