tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post112801497738693983..comments2024-03-26T05:18:53.709-04:00Comments on Pen and Sword: More Next New World OrderJeff Huberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1128100464322199992005-09-30T13:14:00.000-04:002005-09-30T13:14:00.000-04:00Yes, Lorika, and yet it's patently self evident th...Yes, Lorika, and yet it's patently self evident that the kind of high dollar weaponry we have hasn't and won't defeat terrorism. <BR/><BR/>Alas.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1128087694727252032005-09-30T09:41:00.000-04:002005-09-30T09:41:00.000-04:00You're absolutely right, there is no good reason f...You're absolutely right, there is no good reason for the arms race we're currently pursuing. Why do we need the JSF when our current fleet of F-16 and F-18 fixed wing aircraft are being used almost exclusively as close air support delivery systems? The only (remotely) good argument for replacing them with the F-22 and the F-35 are that they are getting old, to which my response is: build new ones. <BR/><BR/>Further, why are we investing in the development of aircraft with the VTOL capability similar to the V-22 Osprey but the lift capability of the C-130? We should be investing in maintaining and increasing our ability to counter asymmetric threats by diverting funds from these major weapon systems and rather spend the money on better gear for grunts, and better retention of our SF personnel.<BR/><BR/>As to China, you're right about how easy it would be to interdict an attack on Taiwan, at least operationally. The question then is how easy it would be politcally? That's academic, though. I find it unlikely that China would ever invad Taiwan unless: 1) Taiwan overtly declares independence, or 2) The US is significantly weakened from its current strength. Read "Unrestriced Warfare" by Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui to see a proposed Chinese strategy on fighting the US asymmetrically. They wrote it as a paper for the Chinese equivalent of Command and Staff College.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1128027076768803232005-09-29T16:51:00.000-04:002005-09-29T16:51:00.000-04:00I'm Googling. As I recall, it was a Word document,...I'm Googling. As I recall, it was a Word document, many references to Eisenhower's farewell speech, etc.<BR/><BR/>Holy crap, look what my search unearthed!<BR/><BR/>http://100777.com/doc/863<BR/><BR/>This may be it, though:<BR/><BR/>www.u.arizona.edu/~fishback/15PostWarEra.docJeff (no, the other one)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04030611459552848949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1128017653636099902005-09-29T14:14:00.000-04:002005-09-29T14:14:00.000-04:00Ooh, any chance you can recall where you saw that ...Ooh, any chance you can recall where you saw that essay?Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1128015684873537432005-09-29T13:41:00.000-04:002005-09-29T13:41:00.000-04:00I read an essay that described the U.S. as "trolli...I read an essay that described the U.S. as "trolling the planet in search of an enemy" in order to keep our military-industrial machine rolling along, since so much of our economy is built around it.<BR/><BR/>That was the best part. As I recall it was about 10 pages, and the 1-page summary was all that was needed.Jeff (no, the other one)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04030611459552848949noreply@blogger.com