tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-150493842011-07-14T19:43:18.087-05:00KEMnoreply@blogger.comBlogger831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1139684586726710312006-02-11T14:03:00.000-05:002006-02-11T14:03:06.796-05:00

I got into a long discussion with my cab driver last night about the cartoon saga (two words that should never be put together). He said free speech should be protected, but that it shouldn't apply to religion. His argument to me was that no one should be able to poke fun at God's messengers (Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, etc). Religion is not politics, he stressed. This is where I take issue.

KEMnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1139627471564270862006-02-10T21:45:00.000-05:002006-02-10T22:11:11.633-05:00

Why doesn't somebody print/reprint cartoons of Jesus, the Pope, etc. all over Europe and the Middle East?There is an opportunity to educate offended but as yet non-politicized Muslims. You participate in this world, you are going to see some stuff you don't like. You get to speak out against that stuff. If you can see the stuff, there are a number of ways that you can respond, and other people

Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633638533878797481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1138910607183851182006-02-02T15:02:00.000-05:002006-02-03T11:45:43.900-05:00

The President's State of the Union Address on Tuesday has left me feeling under whelmed. I do not mean to single out the President as I must note that the Democratic response from Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia was just as painful to watch. Instead I intend to comment on something that has bothered me for some time. Is it too much to hope for prose and poetry from our leaders and politicians? I

Tuonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944451826292705509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1138463248271403912006-01-28T08:26:00.000-05:002006-01-28T10:47:30.533-05:00

I realize this doesn't have much to do with normal posts here...nonetheless, in response to a scolding from Rhodes months ago not to let the blog die and in an attempt to reduce Mags % of postings on the blog to under 90 I thought I'd post from snowy Kabul.I went to my first buzkashi match the other day, saw Fahim and watched the Panjshir team rout the Parwan team. Here's a description of the

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1138163815749307302006-01-24T23:36:00.000-05:002006-01-24T23:57:00.986-05:00

Funny, I had read today that Hamas may not actually "sweep" the elections, and that more attention should be paid instead to whether/how Hamas-Fatah will participate in a coalition government. Will Abbas still lead a Palestinian coalition government, or will Hamas want the lead Cabinet positions? Who knows...never try to predict Palestinian politics...that's my rule (about to be broken).As for

KEMnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1137976726514838052006-01-22T18:52:00.000-05:002006-01-22T19:38:46.910-05:00

Strat Thinkers--Marlin here (Ignore the Star Wars nickname-- simply an indication of my poor computer skills!). The coming week promises to introduce an interesting twist to the Israeli-Palestinian dynamic and I wanted to call your attention to the intriguing issues that the upcoming Palestinian elections will surely raise. Polls are showing Hamas sweeping the elections (worst case scenario for

Master Ewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01749866149512264477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133734229448526132005-12-04T17:10:00.000-05:002005-12-04T17:10:29.730-05:00

Q&A: Charting Fallujah's Course Posted by Hot Zone team on Thu, Nov 17 2005, 7:57 PM ET The top Marine commander in Fallujah predicts Iraqi police will be ready to control the city in six months A year ago, U.S. Marines were storming Fallujah in a fierce bid to wrestle the Iraqi city from insurgent control. Today, Marines are training Iraqi forces to stand on their own. The top Marine

KEMnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133733055413662962005-12-04T16:50:00.000-05:002005-12-04T16:50:55.560-05:00

I'm a firm believer that public safety is impossible without national security. Otherwise, what are we all working towards? Now, I think Kean and Hamilton are more making the point that "defensive" measures have taken a backseat to "offensive" measures. Certainly both have their merits, but how much energy and resources should be applied to each is what the real question is. And is the war in

KEMnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133732115486165282005-12-04T16:35:00.000-05:002005-12-04T16:35:21.406-05:00

Our own STRAT Inner Ring met this weekend to discuss C.S. Lewis' essay on the same topic. In the spirit of "inclusion", these were the main highlights of the discussion: --Inner Rings are inevitable, and by themselves not wholly evil. Lewis, however, makes the point that no one should strive to be inside only for the sake of being inside. There was much debate over whether "ambition" could in

KEMnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133714327224777592005-12-04T11:38:00.000-05:002005-12-04T11:38:47.320-05:00

Anybody else watch Meet the Press this morning? They had Kean and Hamilton from the 9/11 Commission to preview the report card they will release tomorrow. The bottom line for them, after highlighting a few critical areas where both administration and Congress have failed, was that public safety is not the number one priority for the government as it should be. Now I tended to agree with that

AJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12282459540709532910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133407666554282152005-11-30T22:24:00.000-05:002005-11-30T22:27:46.596-05:00

...But Would He Really Have Disapproved?Yes, there are some pretty useless phrases in the not-so-new new plan. Choice bit: "Our mission in Iraq is to win the war" (that whole section under "Our Victory Strategy Is (and Must Be) Conditions Based", ew, is a pretty ugly "nice try"). BUT, turn two pages and you get something refreshing: a clear presentation of an argument so obvious and unoriginal

Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633638533878797481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133400943181697642005-11-30T20:35:00.000-05:002005-11-30T20:35:43.460-05:00

Today is the 131st anniversary of Winston Churchill's birth, and while I am sure that fact did not escape the attention of certain members of the STRAT-o-SPHERE, the administration might have done well to think about it. Murrow said that Churchill "mobilized the English language and sent it into battle to steady his fellow countrymen and hearten those Europeans upon whom the long dark night of

AJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12282459540709532910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1133131560899562122005-11-27T17:43:00.000-05:002005-11-27T17:46:00.913-05:00

Hello, all my fellow STRATers!I know it's been a while since I last posted, but I have been busy at work learning the bureaucracy. I will have plenty of material for the Defense Against the Dark Arts seminar this spring...as I am sure many of you will too!Wanted to wish you all a Happy Holiday season! The next couple of months will be busy for me, but I will check in as much as possible. In

KEMnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1132212434215039632005-11-17T01:51:00.000-05:002005-11-17T02:27:14.230-05:00

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1131359322357077952005-11-07T05:27:00.000-05:002005-11-07T05:28:42.393-05:00

Tough LiberalismTo win back the White House, Democrats must fight jihadist extremism and make anti-totalitarianism part of modern liberalism.By Peter Beinart Table of Contents When John Kerry lost in 2004, I started in my despair reading about the late 1940s, the first years of the Cold War. That was the last time America entered a new era in national security. It started very fast in 1945 and

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1131324072211233942005-11-06T19:41:00.000-05:002005-11-06T19:41:12.253-05:00

I hope everyone reads the article in the latest Foreign Affairs coauthored by our own Alec Reynolds. Great job getting published and making a couple really interesting points. I was particularly interested in the point about the administration's assumption of a "finite number of terrorists." Is this really a central assumption of the Iraq/GWOT "strategy" and if so is this evidence of a truly

AJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12282459540709532910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1131067732142379612005-11-03T20:28:00.000-05:002005-11-03T20:28:52.183-05:00

CSIS is hosting an event with General Petraeus. I can't go, but some of you may want to! Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus Commanding General Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth Former commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq “Iraq’s Evolving Forces” Monday, November 7, 2005 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. St. Regis Hotel (923 16th Street NW, Washington DC) Crystal

KEMnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1130617752800182132005-10-29T15:12:00.000-05:002005-10-29T15:29:12.883-05:00

Okay...since we are in a more efficient (if less scholarly) media age, I propose we start a Film Club. First stop: Jarhead. I mean with a title like that....it should attract you all like flies.Anyone interested in seeing the film? The story revolves around Operation Desert Storm, NOT the current war, which the trailers would lead you to believe. It is based on the book by former Marine sniper

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1130440486744377082005-10-27T14:14:00.000-05:002005-10-27T14:14:46.796-05:00

Well, we are all waiting on pins and needles to see what comes of the CIA leak case. But there is an important point to be made...I seriously doubt much of the rest of the country is even tuned in to this story. Don't get me wrong, it WILL be a story. And in my opinion, if there has been wrongdoing, there should be penalties. I am going to guess that there may be more perjury charges than

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1130426571732023182005-10-27T10:21:00.000-05:002005-10-27T10:22:51.746-05:00

http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/10/26/23727/338

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1129906020182227972005-10-21T09:41:00.000-05:002005-10-21T09:47:00.226-05:00

Washington PostDanger Point In Spy ReformBy David IgnatiusFriday, October 21, 2005; Page A23 The most dangerous moment in any transition is halfway through, when the old structure is badly weakened but the new one isn't yet strong enough to carry the load. That's where the Bush administration stands in its incomplete effort to restructure the intelligence community.The intelligence reshuffle was

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1128951974101887432005-10-10T08:46:00.000-05:002005-10-10T08:46:14.150-05:00

Washingtonpost.com Using Our Leverage: The Troops By Carl Levin Monday, October 10, 2005; A19 As the Iraqi people prepare to vote on a new constitution Saturday, the political situation in that country is highly unstable. There are troubling signs of a split in the political alliance of Kurds and Shiites that has thus far kept Iraq from complete chaos. Sunni Arab leaders, meanwhile, openly call

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1128797342335196862005-10-08T13:47:00.000-05:002005-10-08T13:49:02.343-05:00

Book:Imperial Grunts: The American Military on the Ground by Robert KaplanWhen:Sunday, October 306:30 PMWhere:Tuong's place320 East Capitol St. NEWashington, DC 20003703 772-9618

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1128379063738703872005-10-03T17:37:00.000-05:002005-10-03T17:37:43.806-05:00

When was the last time you heard one person say nice things about Donald Rumsfeld, Madeline Albright, Dick Cheney, Hilary Clinton, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice? As we often do on weekends, Tricky Dick, Major Destruction and I played a round of golf down at Andrews AFB. The single they put with us was a senior USAF NCO who serves as a flight steward on VIP jets. His praise for the

AJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12282459540709532910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1127962616924169732005-09-28T21:56:00.000-05:002005-09-28T21:56:57.016-05:00

The book club met tonight to discuss the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. While toasting before the delicious curry on which we dined, the club adopted a new motto: "For Rome and the World." This derives from, and paraphrases, the section of the reading that inspired the most discussion (Book VI, 44.): "My city and state are Rome-- as Antoninus. But as a human being? The world. So for me, '

AJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12282459540709532910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1127580443629238192005-09-24T11:47:00.000-05:002005-09-24T11:47:23.633-05:00

September 25, 2005 Building an Afghan Army and Learning a Lesson in Patience By ERIC SCHMITT JALALABAD, Afghanistan - American and international efforts to train Afghanistan's security forces began in 2002, about a year before a similar program for Iraqi soldiers and police officers. Yet the Afghan model seems to have lagged behind the troubled Iraqi program. The reasons - like having to

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1127579332380069432005-09-24T11:28:00.000-05:002005-09-24T11:28:52.453-05:00

Washingtonpost.com They're Not Going To Like Us By David Ignatius Friday, September 23, 2005; A23 CAIRO -- For a people who want to be loved as much as Americans do, these are trying times. People around the world see our troubles in Iraq and say we had it coming. They hear us talk about Arab democracy and think we're trying to steal their oil. Some even take a kind of perverse satisfaction in

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1127371520038762942005-09-22T01:36:00.000-05:002005-09-22T01:45:20.046-05:00

So the big news so far has been how low turnout was. From the BBC:The turnout in Afghanistan's parliamentary and provincial elections on Sunday was down by more than 20 points compared to last year's presidential elections, officials say. Hamid Abdullah supervised one of Kabul's largest polling centres during Afghanistan's landmark parliamentary and provincial elections.Bu he himself decided not

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1127363850318440032005-09-21T23:37:00.000-05:002005-09-21T23:37:30.400-05:00

Harvard Will Cooperate With U.S. Military By JUSTIN POPE The Associated Press Wednesday, September 21, 2005; 3:38 PM BOSTON -- Military recruiters will be officially welcomed at Harvard Law School this year after all. Whether they are next year likely depends on the U.S. Supreme Court. Harvard has reversed, at least for now, its policy of barring the Pentagon from using the law school's career

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1127039139509038592005-09-18T05:18:00.000-05:002005-09-18T05:25:41.986-05:00

So we've got another hour or so of voting to go and only 50% of the registered voters have voted at the polling station next to the office. In my entirely unrepresentative sample of 1 (sorry they said no pictures) there haven't been any problems with the indelible ink (that's used to mark fingers to prevent multiple voting) that caused so many problems last year.I stopped by right around the

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1126682201510940722005-09-14T02:08:00.000-05:002005-09-14T02:16:41.843-05:00

A photo of Julia and I at my "homestead" in Texas this summer. We were feeling Republican that day. That's the only way I can explain it.FOR THE RECORD...I am a Demublican. Or a Republicrat.

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1126681511641721982005-09-14T01:22:00.000-05:002005-09-14T02:05:12.716-05:00

My comments in red italics! Some are light-hearted and others are not. Feel free to join in! I know you're not shy, people.--KmagsWashingtonpost.comFor Success in Iraq, Change CourseBy Joseph R. Biden Jr.Wednesday, September 14, 2005; A31The Bush administration's mishandling of Iraq has brought us to the brink of a national security debacle. To salvage the situation, the administration must

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1126302566599805072005-09-09T16:49:00.000-05:002005-09-09T16:49:26.603-05:00

September 09, 2005, 8:32 a.m. National Review (online0 Our Strange Foreign Policy Are we isolationists, imperialists, or wide-eyed dreamers — or all and none? For all the national angst over Afghanistan and Iraq, historians will come to appreciate that sometime after 2001 the United States embarked on a radically different, much riskier, and ultimately more humane foreign policy — one of both

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1125811358635430582005-09-03T23:55:00.000-05:002005-09-04T00:32:28.783-05:00

These pics were taken on the road north out of Kabul in the Shomali Plain. The first is hard to see but it has "HT-BAC-T-N0-1-EOD" written on it. Close to every building along the road has these markings with most having HT-BAC and checkmarks along them. Does anyone know what they represent? My guess is that the area around them have been cleared of mines, but that is just a guess.

BBnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1125768175643407392005-09-03T12:22:00.000-05:002005-09-03T12:22:55.650-05:00

Survey Ranks SAIS as Top MA Program in International Relations SAIS was ranked in a recent survey as the top master's program in International Relations for students looking to pursue a policy career. The survey also listed Professor Francis Fukuyama as one of the most influential scholars in the field. College of William and Mary faculty members conducted the study, which was based on responses

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1125766349120122472005-09-03T11:51:00.000-05:002005-09-03T11:52:29.126-05:00

The Red Cross Fairfax branch needs immediate assistance with their phone bank on Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5. I am planning to go and can take up to 3 people with me in my car. The location is 8550 Arlington Boulevard. The phone number is 703-584-8400. However, they told me they just want people to show up.Also, there is a Red Cross National Capital Area orientation session in

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1125708970266620262005-09-02T19:56:00.000-05:002005-09-02T19:56:10.360-05:00

Even though we are students of United States affairs abroad...let us not forget what makes our country strong...our common humanity. If you would like to volunteer to help victims of Hurricane Katrina that will soon be coming to the DC Armory, please visit the website for the Red Cross of the National Capital Area. You can give monetary donations, or even better, your time. The website is

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1125597129072311572005-09-01T12:47:00.000-05:002005-09-01T12:57:30.173-05:00

Hey all!Well, I'm back from Ireland...what a magnificent country. As soon as I have all my pictures together, I'll post them. Basically, I saw lots of sheep, lots of rainbows, and lots of Guinness! You get the idea....Cheers!Kelly

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124750930309852602005-08-22T17:00:00.000-05:002005-08-22T17:48:51.130-05:00

In preparation for next week's discussion, I went to the Georgetown Public Library to get a copy of Charlie Wilson's War. The D6 bus from Chinatown to Georgetown has an interesting demographic. For most of the trip I was the only male (just a tip, Anit). But it is also the only bus I have ever been on in D.C. where everyone is white. Anyway, it is a fairly slow ride, and I had a copy of the

AJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12282459540709532910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124479401375022112005-08-19T14:23:00.000-05:002005-08-19T14:23:21.433-05:00

Okay, guys and gals. I am headed off to Ireland and will return on August 30. Until then, the STRATOSPHERE will be on vacation as well. If you would like to post while I am way, remember to click on "Blog This" in the upper left corner of the page! In the meantime, I'll be thinking of all of you while I am raising my pints! Cheers! Kelly

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124403248923135562005-08-18T17:14:00.000-05:002005-08-18T17:14:09.856-05:00

From August 18 Wonkette.com: As John at Reference Tone has observed, the most depressing thing about the newly declassified Iraqi invasion planning documents is that they seem to have been put together by David Brent. Less a roadmap to American-style democracy than a series quasi-motivational "succesories" posters, they seem to envision a post-war Iraq where "insurgents" are those who refuse

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124371792562497342005-08-18T08:29:00.000-05:002005-08-18T08:29:52.603-05:00

This was sent by "Nat" (all the way in China!). I have posted it for her...--Kmags On the question of “absolute moral authority” I was very confused by this term “absolute moral authority” and the arguments derived from it, so I looked the words up on dictionary.com. Moral: A decent one is “Of or concerned with the judgment of the goodness or badness of human action and character,” but

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124340288959413552005-08-17T23:42:00.000-05:002005-08-17T23:44:48.970-05:00

When the War Won't Stay at BayWith Bush and the public insulated from Iraq, Cindy Sheehan has moral authority.By Peter BeinartThursday, August 18, 2005; A21Why has Cindy Sheehan -- the bereaved mother camped outside President Bush's Crawford ranch -- transfixed the nation?Partly because she captures something profound about the war in Iraq. Vietnam was a mass-participation war: Nearly 3 million

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124338430350122402005-08-17T23:13:00.000-05:002005-08-17T23:13:51.420-05:00

Ok...this woman is starting to really go freak show. I withdraw pretty much everything I said in support of a meeting with her. Yeah, I know....you can all make fun of my liberal touchy-feely moment ad nauseum at the next happy hour. Crap! --Kmags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124290139237063072005-08-17T09:44:00.000-05:002005-08-17T09:48:59.246-05:00

... The president seems determined to complete the job. Is his defense secretary? In addition to trying to abandon the term "war on terror," Rumsfeld and some of his subordinates have spent an awful lot of time in recent weeks talking about withdrawing troops from Iraq--and before the job is complete.Until a few months ago, Bush administration officials refused to speculate on a timetable for

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124214192314505962005-08-16T12:40:00.000-05:002005-08-16T12:43:12.320-05:00

I'm sure we've all experienced times when we thought of a great comment/retort we should've made in a conversation held earlier in the day or week. But too bad, the moment's gone and the opportunity is lost. Now, I've never met the President and I probably never will. But Mrs. Sheehan did, because her "absolute moral authority" bought her that one meeting. Just because she later thought of

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124212525870251612005-08-16T12:13:00.000-05:002005-08-16T12:15:25.880-05:00

From Foreign Affairs...When Americans were asked to name the most important global problems facing the United States, Iraq and terrorism were the two top concerns. Foreign nations' negative image of this country ranked number three. These and other findings, released jointly by Public Agenda and Foreign Affairs magazine, are part of the new Public Agenda Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124205578834147682005-08-16T10:11:00.000-05:002005-08-16T10:19:38.840-05:00

Christopher Hitchens has an interesting article (as usual) on Slate today regarding bereaved mother Cindy Sheehan, who is petitioning outside the President's ranch in Crawford. He explores the idea of whether or not Mrs. Sheehan, as a grieving mother, has "absolute moral authority" when it comes to saying what she wants and deserving time with the President.I admire Hitchens' ability to take

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124037863261727112005-08-14T11:41:00.000-05:002005-08-14T11:44:23.270-05:00

Hey all! Here is a photo from Ben B. in Afghanistan! Notice the new fashion....Ben, you're looking good! I want to see a full beard upon your return!Ben is doing election polling...surprise!

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1124036365684720812005-08-14T11:12:00.000-05:002005-08-14T11:19:25.690-05:00

What I think Kissinger places too much emphasis on is the radical jihadist nature of the Iraqi insurgency, as if it is some monolithic resistance. This is where I think we err greatly in our understanding. I think the insurgency can be broken down into several varying groups, including disgruntled Sunnis who feel they do not have, and will not in the future, have any real say in the future of

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123860563039809602005-08-12T10:11:00.000-05:002005-08-12T10:29:23.046-05:00

Hi All,I would definitely recommend to all the Op-ed by Henry Kissinger on the Post today.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/11/AR2005081101756.htmlSo here are my 2 paisa worth of thoughts on Iraq( Paisa incidentially, for all those not strong on econ., is the Indian equivalent of the penny);1. The most crucial thing I dont know- is whether the presence of US troops in

Anithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08790141851442902903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123785977535040012005-08-11T13:43:00.000-05:002005-08-11T13:53:30.136-05:00

All --Many thanks to Kelly for setting this up! I'll be checking in from time to time, and although there are the more conventional ways of getting in touch -- most notably by writing ecohen@jhu.edu -- I'll be monitoring this as well.This should be a great way of keeping the Strategic Studies community going; good luck to you all, and I'll be in touch!EAC

EAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888275213092170263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123707338860756882005-08-10T15:48:00.000-05:002005-08-10T15:55:38.860-05:00

The first official STRAT Book Club will launch on August 31 at 19:30 at Mara's house. The first title we will be dissecting is "Charlie Wilson's War." Hey...who wouldn't want to read a book about hookers, hot tubs, and Stinger missiles? If interested, contact me or Mara to let her know you plan to attend.

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123706860047002832005-08-10T15:43:00.000-05:002005-08-10T15:47:40.053-05:00

Harry Potter bewitches Guantanamo Bay prisonersBy Caroline DreesWASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Harry Potter has bewitched detainees at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, where tales of the young wizard and mysteries by Agatha Christie top the list of most popular books, a prison librarian said on Tuesday."Harry Potter is a popular title among some of the detainee population," said the librarian, a

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123531075177595782005-08-08T14:57:00.000-05:002005-08-08T14:57:55.213-05:00

Well...I always thought that Ben B. was sketchy. Turns out he has left us all for Afghanistan (I actually think it may be a mild improvement in climate change from DC). Hopefully Ben will start his own Afghanistan blog as soon as he finds a DSL line in Kabul (hey, if Zawahiri can...so can Ben). Keep us updated, Ben. And stay safe. I could have lent you my burka! Kmags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123483219427527652005-08-08T01:39:00.000-05:002005-08-08T01:45:00.670-05:00

Hi Strat people, We're trying to get input for the coming year's Applied Strategy and Policy Seminar Series (aka "Defense Against the Dark Arts"). The questions bellow were sent out to the strat email list, but I am not getting replies, so a friendly reminder, feedback is welcome even if you attended last year's seminar but have since graduated and won't be there this year. If we

Nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14633638533878797481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123435110478968232005-08-07T12:11:00.000-05:002005-08-07T12:20:05.143-05:00

Fellow STRAT people...I have confirmation that our esteemed Navy alumnus, Ed Burnett (SAIS 04), has just passed his Officer of the Deck Underway Board, which means that he is in charge of his own underway watchsection on his ship. He'll be in charge of safely navigating and executing the ship's mission for five hours at a time. It's a great deal of responsibility and a major step on his path

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123214008221871052005-08-04T22:38:00.000-05:002005-08-05T15:41:49.310-05:00

...never loan Rhodes any movies and never let him claim your championship prize-cause you'll never see 'em again.Andy,The Chinamen (and their boats) are not the issue, dude. I'm talking about, huh?...No, what the f--- are you...I'm talking about unchecked borrowing here dude. Has the whole world gone crazy? Am I the only one who gives a s--t about the rules? Andy, this isn't Nam, its a ping-pong

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123185428209137822005-08-04T14:54:00.000-05:002005-08-04T14:57:08.213-05:00

Attention All STRAT Alumni...please let us know what you are now up to! Feel free to post where you are working (hopefully, unlike me, you are...) and generally what fun, exciting or downright dangerous things you have been doing! The best way to do this is to hit the "Blog This" link in the top left corner of this page. Cheers!KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123184536611981282005-08-04T14:42:00.000-05:002005-08-04T14:42:16.613-05:00

What I find interesting, is that most suspicion in Vincent's death has centered around his recent op-ed about the radical elements within the militia in Basra. However, it seems to me he might have even been killed for something more mundane (relatively), like his blog comments about corruption within the low-level reconstruction contracting in Basra. Note in his July 7 blog about this subject,

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123177509703249772005-08-04T12:44:00.000-05:002005-08-04T12:45:09.706-05:00

http://spencepublishing.typepad.com/in_the_red_zone/

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123175586928300532005-08-04T12:10:00.000-05:002005-08-04T12:13:06.933-05:00

Hey all...I accidently deleted BB's posting. He wants to know if anyone knows of any good blogs from inside Afghanistan. So please let us know if there are...Also, BB...can you republish the Steven Vincent blog piece? I agree he wrote some pretty interesting stuff from Basra. Kmags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123172748645255982005-08-04T11:23:00.000-05:002005-08-04T11:25:48.653-05:00

THE FUTURE OF THE SAUDI MILITARY.Out of Orderby Joseph Braude Only at The New Republic Online Post date 08.04.05 Crown Prince Abdullah's ascent to the Saudi throne this week resolves the problem of succession in the desert kingdom--but only for now. Abdullah, 81, designated his 77-year-old half-brother Sultan bin Abdulaziz to take the helm when he passes on. But Sultan's health is

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123167262509127632005-08-04T09:51:00.000-05:002005-08-04T12:07:14.333-05:00

BB...you should try contacting Peter Bergen on that one. The only ones I have been able to find are either freaks or partisan. Also, haven't been able to find any from someone actually inside Afghanistan.Kmags

BBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123115739185066962005-08-03T19:34:00.000-05:002005-08-03T19:35:39.193-05:00

U.S. Soldier Named Sheik by Iraqi CitizensHorn Helped Arrange for Aid for Certain VillagesBy ANTONIO CASTANEDA, APAPArmy Staff Sgt. Dale L. Horn was given five sheep and some land after being named a sheik. Talk About It: Post ThoughtsQAYYARAH, Iraq (July 31) - Sheik Horn floats around the room in white robe and headdress, exchanging pleasantries with dozens of village leaders. But he's the only

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123114862859171012005-08-03T19:21:00.000-05:002005-08-03T19:21:02.920-05:00

So great to hear from you! I look forward to your contributions! Do you have any photos of your "Ski Vacation" that you can share? Cheers! KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123080493730463612005-08-03T09:44:00.000-05:002005-08-03T09:48:13.733-05:00

Dear all,I have now finally lost my blogging virginity. What do I do now?Benedikt (unbearded)P.S. Benedikt (bärtig), wenn Du diesen Blog lesen kannst, beantworte endlich mal Deine Emails, damit wir den Artikel über die Bühne kriegen und uns dann völlig auf Segeln und Wasserskifahren konzentrieren können.

Benedikt (unbearded)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10326250958716981714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123048766147163822005-08-03T00:53:00.000-05:002005-08-03T00:59:26.153-05:00

nytimes.comAugust 3, 2005Europe Threatens to Punish Iran if Nuclear Work RestartsBy ELAINE SCIOLINOPARIS, Aug. 2 - France, Britain and Germany formally warned Iran on Tuesday that they would end their two-year negotiations over the country's nuclear program and pursue punitive action if Iran carried out its threat to resume sensitive nuclear work.But underscoring their determination to keep the

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123047472834246312005-08-03T00:30:00.000-05:002005-08-03T00:38:53.633-05:00

Do you people know how to use this blog? It took me a while...you can either respond to my posts by clicking on "comments" at the bottom of each post. Or you can go to the top left side of the page and click on "Blog This!"...which allows you to post something original to the page. At least I think that's how it works. Where is Schnippel when I need him!?!I know some of you are banging your heads

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123024885232259392005-08-02T21:13:00.000-05:002005-08-03T00:29:03.023-05:00

Time for something a little more controversial than baseball and schoolchildren. What do you all think of the recent (although latent) controversy surrounding racial profiling? My thoughts on this are complicated, as I am sure yours may be as well. How can we best preserve the freedoms and civil ideals this country promotes and also preserve our safety? I tend to fall down on the side of

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123023916525875222005-08-02T21:05:00.000-05:002005-08-02T18:05:16.530-05:00

Okay...I know some of you are baseball nuts (Andy? Ben?). I propose a STRAT night out at the ballpark. I propose the Atlanta-Washington afternoon game on Sunday, September 11. I think it would be a good way to remember the day that affected us all...and celebrate America's favorite game! Email me at kemags1@aol.com if interested, so I can buy a group of tickets.

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123021732287784112005-08-02T20:33:00.000-05:002005-08-02T17:33:54.310-05:00

Click here for information on sending school supplies to Iraqi children:http://www.iraqischools.com/If anyone wants, we can get together to put together some packages this summer. Email me at kemags1@aol.com.KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123020934708879242005-08-02T20:13:00.000-05:002005-08-02T17:15:34.713-05:00

Want to get a care package to a soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan? Check out this site...http://www.operationusocarepackage.org/site/pp.asp?c=ikLVJ7MSKvH&b=569679Cheers!Kelly

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123018743782587872005-08-02T19:37:00.000-05:002005-08-02T16:39:03.783-05:00

Okay...not that those who are still at SAIS will not have enough to read...is anyone interested in starting a STRAT book club. Theme probably should be strat/pol related. If my apartment were big enough, I'd host it. Besides, my big smelly dog would try to eat all of you. If interested, email me at kemags1@aol.com. By the way...I hated "1776"...not as good as the Adams book.KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123018468885691392005-08-02T19:34:00.000-05:002005-08-02T16:34:28.886-05:00

Hey Steve R....Can you let the new STRAT people coming in this Fall about this blog? It would be great to integrate them into STRAT-O-SPHERE. Open arms, people. Open arms. Hazing to come later.KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123017776385270312005-08-02T19:30:00.000-05:002005-08-02T16:30:17.350-05:00

To our esteemed ISR Ireland 2006 organizers...I'll be in Ireland from August 21-29. When are you two going to be in Dublin? I'll be there for the last few days of my trip. Perhaps we can meet up for a pint! KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123016787010891102005-08-02T19:08:00.000-05:002005-08-02T16:06:27.010-05:00

To all of you who have decided to move on from your SAIS experience, there are a few of us who still actually hang out when not toiling away in the USG (or waiting for clearances). Here are some photos from a party at Sloane's NEW HOUSE! Congrats, Sloane. Someday, after I pay my student loans back...I may be able to buy a shack somewhere in West Virginia.I also hear the Happy Hour(s) are still

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123020029977814472005-08-02T17:00:00.000-05:002005-08-02T17:00:29.980-05:00

Test blog.

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123017567045150672005-08-02T16:17:00.000-05:002005-08-02T16:19:27.046-05:00

FinancialTimes.comChina and Russia joint exercises to strengthen tiesBy Mure Dickie in BeijingPublished: August 2 2005 16:57 Last updated: August 2 2005 16:57Nearly 10,000 troops are to take part in unprecedented joint military exercises by China and Russia this month aimed at strengthening ties between the armed forces of two powers that were once bitter foes.Chinese state media said yesterday

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123016232680342582005-08-02T15:53:00.000-05:002005-08-02T15:57:12.690-05:00

www.washingtonpost.comA Hawk Questions Himself as His Son Goes to WarBy Eliot A. CohenSunday, July 10, 2005; B01War forces us, or should force us, to ask hard questions of ourselves. As a military historian, a commentator on current events and the father of a young Army officer, these are mine.You supported the Iraq war when it was launched in 2003. If you had known then what you know now, would

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123015220103917022005-08-02T15:38:00.000-05:002005-08-02T15:40:20.103-05:00

Pericles...nice. I expect people will make use of the hundreds of pages of Thucydides when picking names. As for myself, creativity takes too long. KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123015065181308922005-08-02T15:36:00.000-05:002005-08-02T15:37:45.183-05:00

Okay, so I haven't posted anything stratty yet...just getting the site in order. Does anyone have Dr. Keaney's email? I can't find it...Cheers!KellyMags

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15049384.post-1123011193750554572005-08-02T14:22:00.000-05:002005-08-02T14:33:13.753-05:00

Hello fellow STRAT-ophiles! I figured it was about time for us to start our own blog. And since I have a little time on my hands, I figured I'd give it a shot. This will be a place we can discuss the news of the day, alumni updates, Thucydides, Machiavelli, Neocon conspiracies, and whatever floats your boat. Try not to make it TOO serious people...this is supposed to be fun. The only rules to

KellyMagsnoreply@blogger.com0