Common Sense
Russia
Ozymandias: Part One
“I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, […]
Syria Fixation: Evaluation of US Strategic Options and Priorities
Tensions have increased sharply between the United States and Russia since the breakdown of the Syrian ceasefire two weeks ago. Although there have been no incidents involving forces from either side, there has been much irresponsible talk on both sides. There has also been a concrete escalation, mostly on the side of the Russians, which […]
Erdogan’s Apology: Cui Prodest?
Word leaked early this week of a potential shift in Turkey’s relations with Russia, with President Erdogan writing a letter of condolence to the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the family of slain pilot Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov. He expressed his regret over the incident and his hope that “we may be forgiven.” The Turkish […]
Spain’s Two Answers to Congressman Pitts
On the 16th of April, the USS Florida was steaming out of the Royal Navy’s facilities in Gibraltar after a short port call. In the brief period between the Florida’s departure from the dock and her entry into the international waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, the Navy ship was twice harassed by Spanish vessels: […]
Victory Day: A Window into Russia
Yesterday was Victory Day in Russia, one of the most important celebrations in that country’s calendar. It marked the official end of the Second World War for the Soviet Union, the day the Nazi serpent was finally crushed under the iron boot of the gallant Red Army and the articles of surrender were signed in […]
Speculating on Russia’s Syria Drawdown
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today that his country would begin to withdraw its forces from Syria. Citing the serious degradation of “ISIS forces” and Russia’s interest in contributing to the ceasefire, Mr. Putin determined that the objectives of the intervention had been met. The withdrawal would not include forces protecting the Russian bases at […]
Extend-and-Pretend Comes to the Refugee Crisis
When politicos start using the word “game-changing” to refer to a negotiation, you can be sure that some truly heinous is going to come out of it, usually in the fine print. This is true of the Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic trade pacts being negotiated, and it is equally true of the deal brokered in Ankara […]
Evolution of Coalition Air Operations and the Sunni “Endgame” in Syria, Iraq
As I pointed out in early December, changes to the balance of forces in Syria and Iraq have been forcing together the disparate and fractious elements of the “informal Sunni coalition,” nominally led by Saudi Arabia. These actors have had little in common except an extreme wariness of Persian power and influence west of the […]
The Rights and Wrongs of Russia
“Can NATO deter Russia?”[1] “Can NATO face up to Russia task?”[2] “Stop Putin’s Next Invasion Before it Starts,”[3] and “Putin Wants to Destroy NATO.”[4] Those are the headlines that appear in the Western press and foreign policy literature. It seems a legitimate question: Russia went to war with Georgia in 2008, annexed Crimea and supported […]
Syria is the New Spanish Civil War
The Syrian Civil War, the fight against the Islamic State, the anarchy in Yemen, terrorist bombings in Lebanon and Kuwait, the renewal of hostilities between Turkish authorities and the PKK: these events cannot be viewed in isolation. Although each has its own unique and specific causes, actors and circumstances, they all must be viewed through […]
Common Sense
- A Veteran’s Day Reflection: Bring Back National Service November 12, 2016
- Ozymandias: Part One November 10, 2016
- Reflecting on the Second Amendment on November 9th November 9, 2016
- America, Rise Up November 7, 2016
- The Road to Revolution November 4, 2016
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