Friday, October 2, 2009
Afghanistan: General McChrystal on 60 Minutes
Friday, September 25, 2009
Iran: Nuclear Site Could Pose Test to U.S., Israel Ties
I posted the main story last for a reason. This new nuclear site is a game changer in my opinion. It only accelerates and agitates the process, and time is not on our side here.
And then there was the speech. Netanyahu’s speech at the UN was the exact opposite of Gaddafy’s, meaning it was compelling and heart wrenching, and it was also an indicator of what could be next for Israel. Israel has made clear, time and time again, that Iran with a nuclear bomb is a threat to the existence of Israel and unacceptable.
That says to me that they plan on eventually attacking Iran and destroying their ability to manufacture a nuclear bomb. Israel did this with Iraq and Syria, so logic being, Iran is next. When this happens is anyone’s guess. Either way, Israel will not allow any threats to it’s existence, and will act accordingly.
The question I have with this, is what would the US reaction be if Israel tries to fly over Iraq to attack Iran? Or what would be the military reaction of Iran and how would that impact our mission in Iraq or Afghanistan? Interesting and scary stuff. –Matt
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At U.N., Iranian’s Speech Draws Angry Words From Netanyahu
By Colum LynchWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, September 25, 2009
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 — Brandishing Nazi orders for the extermination of Jews, Israel’s prime minister blasted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday for continuing to deny that the Holocaust occurred, and he rebuked U.N. delegates who had listened politely to the Iranian leader’s speech on Wednesday, demanding, “Have you no shame?”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Legal News: Some Thoughts on HR 3571
There was a 19 % increase (from 10,743 to 13,232) of armed DoD PSCs in Iraq compared to the 2nd quarter FY 2009 census. This increase can be attributed to an increased need for PSCs to provide security as the military begins to drawdown forces and to our continued improved ability to account for subcontractors who are providing security services.
. There was a 20% increase (from 4,111 to 5,165) of armed DoD PSCs in Afghanistan compared to the 1st quarter FY 2009 census. The increase correlates to the build up of forces in that AOR. -Contractor Support of U.S. Operations in USCENTCOM AOR, Iraq, and Afghanistan, June 30,2009
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There is a lot of talk in the anti-defense industry circles these days about HR 3571 and how it could apply to the removal of a lot of the big players in the defense industry. You don’t hear about reforming the industry or anything, just the idiotic notion of eradicating the defense industry–national security be damned. I am sure our enemies are liking this one…Pffffft.
The other thing to note, is that HR 3571 was created as a mechanism to defund ACORN. I don’t think lawmakers intended on inadvertently defunding the entire defense industry. It is all about the intent people, and the intent to do such a thing is not there.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Military News: McChrystal–More Forces or ‘Mission Failure’
So it all comes down to this? This totally reminds me of the Petraeus/Iraq surge debate, and the political back and forth on Iraq strategy. One of the things that I keep thinking about with this, is the impact on this industry. If these troops are approved, then contractors will be coming in to support that upswing in numbers. If these troops are not approved, then the training of Afghans will become a priority, and no doubt, contractors will be important for that mission as well. Hell, contractors have been involved with training for awhile, and just look at all the Afghan Border Patrol contracts?
In both scenarios, we will answer the call.-Matt
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McChrystal: More Forces or ‘Mission Failure’
Top U.S. Commander For Afghan War Calls Next 12 Months Decisive
By Bob WoodwardWashington Post Staff WriterMonday, September 21, 2009
The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warns in an urgent, confidential assessment of the war that he needs more forces within the next year and bluntly states that without them, the eight-year conflict “will likely result in failure,” according to a copy of the 66-page document obtained by The Washington Post.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Books: Attack State Red, By Colonel Richard Kemp
Hey guys and gals, I wanted to put this out there at the recommendation of one of our readers. Thanks to Glen for the heads up. I have not read the book, but it sounds pretty good. –Matt
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Attack State Red
By Colonel Richard Kemp and Chris Hughes
A 21st Century “Band of Brothers”
“I went to Afghanistan with seven mates and came back with seven brothers.” — Private Kenny Meighan, in Attack State Red.
What happened in Helmand’s Sangin Valley in the spring of 2007 was nothing short of extraordinary. A twenty-first century Band of Brothers, the soldiers of the Royal Anglian Regiment arrived in Afghanistan charged with taking the battle to the enemy. Despite brutal, debilitating conditions, the tour that followed became a bloody lesson in how to conduct offensive infantry warfare. Over a six-month tour of duty, the ‘Vikings’ battlegroup unleashed hell in heavy, relentless fighting that saw teenage soldiers battle toe to toe against hard-core Al Qaeda and Taliban warriors at unprecedented levels of ferocity.
The stories that emerged from the Sangin Valley, defined by bravery, comradeship, endurance and, above all, aggression, are remarkable. But the fight was far from one-sided. During their time in theatre the Royal Anglians paid a heavy price in dead and wounded men. And all those that did return home came back changed by the intensity of the experience.
In Attack State Red, Colonel Richard Kemp, a former Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, and Chris Hughes, the Daily Mirror Security Correspondent, tell the story of the Royal Anglians’ deployment for the first time.
Most people wonder what it is like in battle and how they themselves would perform. Many books claim to give the reader a whiff of combat. Attack State Red really does. Seen through the eyes of the ordinary soldier, this book shows the danger, the fear, the exhilaration, the heat, the dust, the confusion, the exhaustion and of course the ever-present humour of infantry warfare.
It places the reader firmly into the boots of the British fighting man. For the first time ever you will understand what it is like to confront an enemy in impossible battle conditions, slogging for mile after mile through rugged Afghan desert and jungle-like ‘Green Zone’, in searing heat and carrying up to 90 pounds of equipment. Nervously wondering when the first shot will be fired at you. Hoping it won’t come. Knowing it will.
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Colonel Richard Kemp is a former Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment and later commanded all British forces in Afghanistan. He was a member of COBRA, the national crisis-management committee, and worked on international terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan for the UK Government’s Joint Intelligence Committee, for which he was awarded the CBE. Although an infantryman, he invaded Iraq in a Challenger tank in 1991 with British forces in the US 3rd Army, and has spent much time in that country since the 2003 invasion. He has served extensively in command of troops in most other campaigns the British have fought in recent years, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Macedonia.
Chris Hughes is Security Correspondent for the Daily Mirror and has spent considerable time with British forces on the Afghan frontline. He was embedded with the Royal Anglians for several weeks at the height of the tour described in this book. He covered the aftermath of 9/11 in New York and has for the past five years reported on the ensuing wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
Attack State Red website.
Attack State Red Facebook Group