2014-08-13 By Robbin Laird The George W. Bush Administration did not have a rush of allies wishing to join in the invasion of Iraq. And today, there are few who would like to join in the effort to manage all of Iraq and work with the “new” government in Baghdad.…
2014-08-13 When the Obama Administration sought to shape a status of forces agreement with the Baghdad government it failed to do so. This meant as well that the Administration left without a plan ever to return to the aide of Iraq. As Secretary Gates described the situation during his last…
2014-08-13 The French have expressed concern about the deteriorating situation facing the Christians in Iraq and that of the Kurds in various ways. In early August, French Bishops visited Iraqi Christians to demonstrate their support. According to the Vatican in a piece released on August 5, 2014: Last week, Cardinal Barbarin…
2014-08-08 By Ed Timperlake The Honorable Mike Wynne 21st USAF Secretary expressed what is now known as The Wynne Doctrine—“If you are in a fair fight someone failed in planning.” Many successful battlefield commanders in history practiced the Wynne Doctrine. Israel certainly needs too because they can never afford to…
2014-08-11 By Ed Timperlake The Honorable Mike Wynne 21st USAF Secretary expressed what is now known as The Wynne Doctrine: “If you are in a fair fight someone failed in planning.” Many successful battlefield commanders in history practiced the Wynne Doctrine. In fact, General Sherman “Uncle Billy” to his soldiers…
2014-08-08 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird To listen to many of the talking heads after the President’s decision to engage in Iraq, they immediately went to mission creep and ways to avoid the mistakes of the past. Although interesting, except for a Presidential speech and so far a combat…
2014-08-10 By Robbin Laird Vladimir Putin has returned Russia to the world stage in rather dramatic fashion. The seizure of Crimea from Ukraine is the most obvious statement of Russian power, yet this seizure could obscure the broader strategy and focus of attention. Putin is really an energy czar, running…
2014-08-10 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Iraq 2014 is not Iraq 2003. Following the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the US started on the path of the reconstruction of the country. A key approach followed, notably in the surge and thereafter, a counter-insurgency or COIN…
