Category Archives: International Security

Game Theory for Middle Eastern Dictators

Towards a Dominant Strategy In “Saudis Shrug Off Day of Rage: Three Strategies to Suppress a Revolt Before It Starts“, I argued that there are two archetypal models for a dictator to deal with popular revolts in the Middle East: crush them or … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Mathematics, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Conservatives Blamed for British Barbarism

It was only a matter of time before these animal-like wards of the state blamed conservatives and the “wealthy” for their own barbaric behavior. After over thirty years and billions of pounds on social welfare programs, this is what London … Continue reading

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Posted in Business, Crime, Finance and Economics, International Security, Media, Policy, Politics, Social Security, Socialism, Taxes, Unions | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

A Whiff of Grapeshot: What’s Good Enough for Londonderry, is Good Enough for London

“This is criminality, pure and simple, and it has to be confronted and defeated” — British Prime Minister David Cameron As the mayhem in London continues for a fourth night, it is important to determine the trigger, the motivations of the … Continue reading

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Posted in Crime, Defense, Finance and Economics, Food Security, International Security, Media, Policy, Politics, Social Security, Taxes, Terrorism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Obama’s Fiftieth Birthday: Plenty of Celebration, No Results

Last Wednesday, President Obama attended a gala celebration in Chicago to celebrate his fiftieth birthday one day early. Attendees paid $35,800 a ticket to bask in the light of their Messiah, and to mingle with musical stars Herbie Hancock and OK … Continue reading

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Posted in Business, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, International Security, Media, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Fuel Economy Standards a Good Thing

This past Friday, President Obama announced new corporate average fuel economy or CAFE standards that would require the average vehicle sold in the United States to provide 54.5 miles per gallon. The White House estimates the program will save consumers … Continue reading

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Posted in Business, California, Clean Energy, Clean Tech, Climate Change, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, International Security, Media, Middle East, Peak Oil, Policy, Politics, Taxes, Technology, Unions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Not Paying Military If There Is No Debt Deal Is a Bad Idea

I’m getting a sense of deja vu reading Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen’s comments on whether or not military servicemembers will receive their paychecks in the event that Congress cannot reach a deal to raise the country’s debt … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Finance and Economics, International Security, Media, Policy, Politics, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Top Turkish Generals Resign En Masse

The New York Times just reported that Turkey’s top military commanders resigned en masse today. This development is a negative one for NATO, Turkey, and the broader Middle East. Historically, the Turkish military has been the sole guarantor of stability … Continue reading

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Media, Middle East, Peak Oil, Policy, Politics, Terrorism, War | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Civilization” Turns Pinko Commie

“Hell is other people.” — Jean-Paul Sartre When I first saw this article on CNN, my heart almost skipped a beat. Sid Meier was bringing his classic 1991 PC game, “Civilization” to Facebook! In my opinion, “Civilization” was one of the most addictive games … Continue reading

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Posted in Business, California, Humor, International Security, Media, Policy, Politics, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Plague Year: Riveting Novel About Nanotechnology Gone Awry

Plague Year is Jeff Carlson’s riveting novel about a nanotech machine plague that breaks out in Northern California, and ultimately kills nearly five billion people. The hook: the machine plague has a hypobaric trigger that renders the plague inert at elevations over 10,000 feet. While I normally do … Continue reading

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Posted in Book Reviews, California, Central Asia, China, Climate Change, Defense, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, Food Security, International Security, Mathematics, Media, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Science, Technology, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Thirty Chernobyls: Why Space Weather Matters

Last month, Popular Science published an article suggesting more ways civilization could end in a vicious maelstrom of chaos and mass starvation. The scenario goes something like this:

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Posted in Clean Energy, Clean Tech, Energy Security, Food Security, International Security, Media, Nuclear Power, Policy, Science, Smart grid, Solar, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment