Center for a New American Security

Really? I like the guy, but dude's been president for, like, three weeks.

Update: Hahaha. Greatest comment on teh internets ever:

“YO OBAMA, I’M GONNA LET YOU FINISH, BUT I JUST WANNA SAY THAT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR WAS THE BEST NOBEL PRIZE WINNER OF ALL TIME.”

I'm willing to concede that Robert Kagan knows more about the history of U.S. foreign policy than I do, but does his somewhat counterfactual op-ed in today's Post make sense to anyone else? Is Obama more a Wilsonian than a realist, or is this just wishful thinking from a neoconservative?

On Saturday, the Philadelphia Phanatic took on "Parker" of the Fresno Grizzlies in an Olympic contest of mascot events.

Now, a Major League mascot of the caliber of the Phillie Phanatic taking on a minor league marvel is kind of like stacking your Olympic gymnastics team with underage girls in order to win the gold--or Russia fighting Georgia...but it does represent the opportunity for Philadelphia to finally win, well, something...

Anyway, the outcome of the match was apparently unimportant as while Kip could find much from Fresno as they waited with baited breath the arrival of the Michael Phelps of mascotry, Kip could find nothing relating the results of the outcome (or at least some video of the performance).

PS I haven't forgotten Mitch Williams, destroyer of dreams

John Nagl has often quipped that it is difficult for the State Department to do its job when there are more members of military bands than there are Foreign Service officers.

Kip isn't sure that this is exactly how Herr Nagl wished the equation addressed:



Fortunately, the soldiers will be all right...

It is now official.

Colonels McMaster and Macfarland and quite a few other well deserving candidates will be promoted to Brigadier General upon confirmation.

Their promotion marks a major step forward in recognizing the importance of effective operations in wars among the people.

Congratulations.

For veterans and members of our Armed Forces, there should be a brief pause to remember Michael DeBakey, a man most famous for his vital work in developing surgeries to prevent heart attacks.

While many in the public have received a new lease on life due in part to techniques he developed, many soldiers today owe their lives indirectly to the work of DeBakey and several others who after World War II recommended that doctors be moved to the front. This allowed for rapid, life-saving surgery to be performed far quicker than in previous wars. The concept was realized in MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) Units.

DeBakey subsequently played a key role in facilitating Veteran's health care and has a VA hospital appropriately named after him.

Those of us who have served in the Armed Forces owe him a debt of gratitude for his service.

...the new Bond trailer is out:



Mmm. Yes, please.

Charlie's favorite comedian, George Carlin, died yesterday at age 71. He was profane, topical, and an utter master of the English language. She's torn as to which youtube clip to post, but really there's only one (an obvious choice for anyone who's ever had an actual conversation with yours truly...NSFW, obvi).



(Baseball vs Football was a close second.)

Troy would like to extend a hearty congratulation to a friend of this blog, Col. Thomas X. Hammes, USMC (retd), who successfully defended his doctoral dissertation last week.

Q: What cutting edge COIN topic did the man who brought you the Sling and the Stone focus his mental energies on for the past three years? Sixth generation warfare? The Marine Corps’ role in public diplomacy? Strategic communications in counter-terror operations? Wait for it…

A: Military culture in the Korean War. Oh well! I’m sure it makes a good read anyway.

This accomplishment raises an important question: What is the proper way to address T.X.? Colonel Doctor Hammes or Doctor Colonel Hammes?

You may think this question is a joke, but don’t tell that to the Germans.