Category Archives: International Security

9/11 in Numbers (Part I): The U.S. Military

Since 9/11, the United States military has changed in several fundamental ways. Here are just a few of them: The Defense budget grew by 155% from FY2001 to FY2011 The number of active military personnel increased by 3.6% The Army and … Continue reading

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Posted in Central Asia, Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Terrorism, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music During 9/11

People have a tendency to develop emotional memories after a particularly traumatic event. Sometimes they are able to repress these memories, only reminded of them after hearing a sound or a song that brings them back. While I was fortunately … Continue reading

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Posted in California, Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Media, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Terrorism, War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Libya, the Hits Just Keep on Coming

While I correctly predicted that a more democratic government in Muslim countries like Libya would result in increased Islamic radicalism, I could not have imagined it might spell the beginning of an Arab apartheid regime. Today, the New York Times reported … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Nuclear proliferation, Policy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Al Qaeda to Be Part of New Libyan Government

Ali Tarhouni, the deputy chairman of the rebels’ executive board announced today that he was appointing a Supreme Security Committee of civilian officials and militia leaders, as a prelude to forming a new Libyan government. That said, Mr. Tarhouni also announced that … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Nuclear proliferation, Policy, Politics, Terrorism, War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Libya: Operational Success, Strategic Failure

Last week, Bloomberg’s Jonathan Alter posed a tantalizing question: “you think Obama’s been a bad president? Prove it.” More specifically, Alter challenged the president’s detractors to identify specific administration policy failures. On Monday, conservative David Frum responded to Alter’s throwing down the gauntlet … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Nuclear Power, Nuclear proliferation, Policy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Proving Obama Is a Failed President

Last week, Jonathan Alter at Bloomberg posed a tantalizing question: “you think Obama’s been a bad president? Prove it.” More specifically, he issues the following challenge to Obama-doubters: “Your mission, Jim (and readers named something else), should you decide to … Continue reading

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Posted in Business, Clean Energy, Clean Tech, Defense, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, Healthcare, International Security, Leadership, Media, Nuclear proliferation, Peak Oil, Policy, Politics, Unions, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Conflict Correlated with Climate

Several months ago, I published the following chart to describe my theory on the underlying causes of instability. I confidently asserted that instability is “a positive feedback loop driven by weather, energy and food prices, currency fluctuations, repression, and demography.” … Continue reading

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Posted in Climate Change, Defense, Food Security, International Security | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is the Libyan War Over? Not By a Long Shot

Al Jazeera reported today that Libyan opposition fighters just seized Tripoli’s Green Square and are celebrating a military victory over Qaddafi’s regime. Now that rebel forces appear to have defeated Qaddafi’s loyalists, the next hurdle will be avoiding further bloodshed amongst themselves.

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Terrorism, War | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are Conservatives More Patriotic Than Liberals?

In May of 2011, Gallup published poll results on active duty military personnel / veteran, and non-veteran approval of President Obama’s job performance. Not surprisingly, the job approval rating for President Obama was lower across all age groups for active military / veterans … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, International Security, Policy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Strife in the Sinai: Is Egypt’s and Israel’s Peace at an End?

“The Egyptians do not accept what has happened, and it means that Israel should take care. If they continue their behavior toward the Palestinians and the peace process, it means that the situation will escalate more.” — Mohamed Bassiouni, a … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Media, Middle East, Peak Oil, Policy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments