"You Can't Drink BDS:" South Africa Goes The Wrong Way on Israel/Palestine by Scott FaithSouth Africa has a problem. Well, actually South Africa has a LOT of problems. The country has both "problems of plenty" and "problems of scarcity." For example, they have plenty of crime, plenty of diseases, plenty of corruption, and plenty of racial tensions.They also have … [Read more...]
The Fall of Rome: Romans No Longer Hold the Line
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUMUT: GENERALIS FLAVIUS AETIUS LEGATUS AUGUSTI PRO PRAETOREEX: GENERALIS GNAEL MALLIUS MAXIMUS LEGATUS LEGIO UNDECIMA CLAUDIASUBJECT: CONSULEM LEGIONESQUE ROMANAS CONSUMPTIDIEM: MCLXXXV AB URBE CONDITACC: GENERALIS FLAVIUS RICIMER LEGATUS … [Read more...]
Muslim Veterans Speak Out, Part II: Women’s Rights and Islam
When it comes to terrorism, US foreign policy, US military operations, the true nature of Islam and the extent of Islamic radicalization, there are no shortages of opinions. As a survivor of the 9/11 attacks and a former US soldier, I certainly had my own. But when it came to discussing Islam intelligently, I had more questions than answers. Frustratingly, most interviews I’ve … [Read more...]
Trump, Mattis, Middle East Policy, and “One World Government”
Trump, Mattis, Middle East Policy, and "One World Government" by Nathan PlayerIf the press is to be believed, America’s adventurism in the Middle East is winding down. Agree or disagree on the policy, this should surprise no one. This has always been the current administration’s goal. It has also been the stated policy objective of politicians on both sides of the aisle … [Read more...]
When “Humanitarian” Projects Aren’t
When "Humanitarian" Projects Aren’t by David HartmannEngineers, especially civil engineers, build things. It’s what we do, and we consider each project, large or small, “our” project. Being a civil engineer in the Army engineer branch was especially rewarding. We played with bridge sets, construction equipment, and building parts. Army combat engineering also meant … [Read more...]
Afghanistan serves U.S. strategic interests, and it is time to stop pretending it doesn’t.
On Monday, U.S. officials met with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in the United Arab Emirates to discuss a potential political settlement to the war in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, President Trump announced that the U.S. will immediately withdraw from Syria and only one day later, the Trump Administration announced that it is considering a significant drawdown of American … [Read more...]
Leaders: Myth and Reality – A Review
When many big names in business, politics, and pop culture sit down to pen a new book, they tend to capture personal exploits, successes, accumulation of wealth, awards, and achievements. In the new, bestselling release of Leaders: Myth and Reality, GEN (Retired) McChrystal and his co-authors manage to approach the topic of leadership with a focus still on individuals, but … [Read more...]
The US’s Foreign (Insurance) Policy: Time to Let That Boulder Roll?
Editor's Note: This article, slightly updated below by the original author, was first published by our friends in Ranger Up's Rhino Den. You can check out the original story, and view other great content from the Rhino Den, here. _____ I don’t go around seeking hidden meaning in cartoons, but sometimes inspiration strikes.It will probably take about as … [Read more...]
“Two Girls, One Cockroach” Is A Game Show In Japan
"Two Girls, One Cockroach" Is A Game Show In Japan by Scott FaithJapanese game shows are just weird.In one that recently came across my social media feed, a game show features a competition between two young woman in which they blow on opposite ends of a long transparent tube to try to force a cockroach down the other's throat. This is something that passes for … [Read more...]
The Ranger Way: Earning My Combat Scroll
The Ranger Way: Earning My Combat Scroll by James WebbIt was my 3rd mission that I bagged my first bad guy.Right out of the bird, I knew we were running up to the top of a hill and just above the target building. To be blatantly honest, all I paid attention to at that point was how far we were walking and if there was a terrain feature or not we had to cross, meaning a … [Read more...]