An Opportunity to Lose

Talk about learning the lessons of the last war in the next. David Ignatius, writing at Real Clear Politics, looks back at the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in search of understanding modern Islamic terrorism and Middle East violence.

Ignatious thinks he finds lessons applicable to today’s situation, and says that to find a unique opportunity for a negotiated peace, Israel (and their US sponsors) must “alter its view” of the Palestinians and the Lebanese. I’m not sure he means us to think of Hezbollah as “Lebanese,” and mentions not at all how we’re to view Iran or Syria.

For Ignatius, it’s all about perceptions and understanding. Israel and Egypt and Syria forged lasting peace, because Egypt enjoyed a very short tactical advantage due to a surprise sneak attack, which gave them dignity, in contrast to earlier ignoble defeats. Israel was ready to “bargain” because they learned that their Arab enemies “wouldn't run from battle.”

Looking at today’s war, Ignatius thinks the same kind of “opportunity” awaits. Israel “will have to revise their doctrine that their adversaries can be coerced solely by military force.” Arabs can now make peace as “plausible negotiating partners,” due to their “resistance on the battlefield.”

Pity Ignatius’ perceptions lead him to such grand misunderstanding. His comparisons ignore the real consequences of 1973 (and any and all previous negotiations and peace-making efforts). He assimilates Hezbollah propaganda, exaggerates their performance, fully ignores their terrorist methods, and virtually exalts their depraved Secretary General Nasrallah.

Extended commentary here.

US Army Recruiting Stations In India, Russia, etc?

Ret. Brig Gen Kevin Ryan makes a compelling case for a modest but controversial expansion of what most of us in the military already realize is a gold mine of valuable potential, skills and leadership: the active recrutiment of immigrants into national service.

Time picked the idea up this week and has a Pentagon official quoted as saying it "shows great promise". I agree, I see them as force multipliers for the military. What about everyone else?

Haditha Marines implicate Murtha

Heavy rolls all the way around.

In the spirit of our treasured system of justice, let's don't jump to any conclusions, though.

Sigh

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, some people are still convinced that Jesse MacBeth was the real deal.

PS- if we could please find the person who is spamming Milblogs, and have him put to death, that sure would be appreciated.

Haditha Report Implicates Marines

Stand by for heavy rolls.

Israel’s war our war?

From day one, I always thought they were the same. Over at OpinionJournal.com, Frank Gaffney is thinking the same thing.

For the United States, the current phase of this War for the Free World began on Sept. 11, 2001. For others, like Israel it has been going on for decades and represents an unmistakably existential threat. We cannot afford to pretend that there is an appropriate way for the United States to fight Islamofascist totalitarians and the terror they wield against us, then insist that our allies must negotiate with and try to appease such groups when they are in the Islamofascists' cross-hairs.

Pictures of Paradise

Well maybe not paradise, but at least the Worker's Paradise. Some Russian tourists have posted some outstanding quality photos of their trip to a casino in Najin, North Korea which is located just across the border of the Maritime Province in the Russian Far East. Yes, you heard that right there is a tourist casino in North Korea. It may not be Vegas, but it is a way for the cash strapped North Koreans to generate some revenue from Chinese and Russian tourists.

The photos provide some great insights into every day North Korean life, and keep in mind that what they saw was the staged demonstrations of every day life given to the foreigners that visit the casino there. Just imagine how the people they are not allowed to see live. You can view the original Russian slide show here or try this link with very rough English translations. No matter the language, the pictures are what you want to see.

What's Wrong With this Picture?

Here's a CNN story on a Court Decision...

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that federal prosecutors investigating a leak about a terrorism funding probe can see the phone records of two New York Times reporters.

so take a look at the CNN page HERE and tell me what you see that is just plain wrong... (Hint: Don't just look at the story... look at the full CNN page...

OK, give up? (answer in the jump...)

COL Steele

This sounds odd:

Col. Michael Steele, whose heroics were portrayed in the movie "Black Hawk Down," is under investigation for allegedly encouraging his men to go on a killing spree. The investigation begins just as the Army has started to make its case against four soldiers who are charged with murdering three Iraqi civilians while under Steele's command, ABC News has learned.

The canary in the coal mine

Israel's fight against their existential Hizballa foe is more than just another bout in the endless series of struggles in a violent corner of the world. It is a test case as to whether Western-style democracies still have the sand to do what's necessary to survive, far less prevail, against those who are committed to their destruction. We used to know the answer - now, I am afraid, we are not so sure. The Qana tragedy is a kind of signpost:

These things are tragedies, but they are not unique in time of war, nor even unique to warfare itself. Horrible things do happen, and these are the consequences of taking up the sword, or returning the blow. If our new standard is that we must be perfect not merely in intent but also execution, then we should admit that there’s nothing that we have left worth fighting for; not our lives, not our way of life, not our freedoms. We should forswear warfare forever.

Reminder for Gov't Employees Intent on Sexing Up Their Co-Workers

We can recover your email. Like, all of it. Seriously.

Psychological Warfare

Israel knows how to use it.