The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn Law

The North Korean Problem: “Leadership” by Herd Mentality

The North Korean Problem: "Leadership" by Herd Mentality by Leonard Benton It is ironic that political leaders in the United States imagine that negotiations will solve a problem when we have had 60 years of North Korean intransigence and not one measure from the United States, the United Nations, or anyone else has done one damn thing to control the weapons growth or the … [Read more...]

Muslim Veterans Speak Out, Part 2: Women’s Rights and Islam

Muslim Veterans Speak Out, Part 2: Women's Rights and Islam by Christopher Paul Meyer This first appeared in The Havok Journal in January 2017. Author's Note: When it comes to terrorism, U.S. foreign policy and 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 … [Read more...]

Journalist Hollie McKay Profile

Journalist Hollie McKay Profile by David Bruce 2018 was the deadliest year on record for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders. At a time when press patches are used as targets rather than a sign of neutrality, Australian/American Global Conflict Journalist Hollie McKay uses research, instinct, and trusted fixers to capture the story in some of the world’s … [Read more...]

Soleimani Smoked: Did The US Just Kill Iran’s Top Terrorist… In Iraq?

Soleimani Smoked: Did The US Just Kill Iran's Top Terrorist... In Iraq? by Scott Faith When I heard that rockets impacted Baghdad International Airport earlier today, I assumed it was the latest minor skirmish in the tit-for-tat going on between the American military in Iraq, and Iran's terrorist proxy forces.  Up to this point, the most significant development in that … [Read more...]

Benghazi 2.0? U.S. Embassy in Iraq Under Attack

Benghazi 2.0? US Embassy in Iraq Under Attack by Scott Faith The US Embassy in Iraq, a sprawling, $750 million facility housing 5,500 Americans in downtown Baghdad, is under attack. Parts of the compound are in flames, armed and angry locals are roaming the grounds at will, and U.S. personnel have retreated to internally-secure locations. The situation has many Americans … [Read more...]

When “Humanitarian” Projects Aren’t

When "Humanitarian" Projects Aren’t by David Hartmann Engineers, 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...]

Leaders: Myth and Reality – A Review

Leaders: Myth and Reality - A Review by Mike Kelvington This first appeared in The Havok Journal December 21, 2018. 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 bestselling release of Leaders: Myth and Reality, GEN … [Read more...]

“Two Girls, One Cockroach” is a Game Show in Japan

"Two Girls, One Cockroach" is a Game Show in Japan by Scott Faith [Editor's Note: This first appeared in The Havok Journal November 19, 2015. It's just too insane NOT to republish] Japanese 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 … [Read more...]