Comments on: On War #259: Evaluating 4GW Missions

By: Newjarheaddean

Newjarheaddean — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:56:54 +0000

Studied warfare all my life, can’t believe I never herd 4GW before DNI. Maybe because I have always concentrated on tactics not strategies, yes Napoleon had a point about amateurs. However that may change in 4GW.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, reading the articles on 4GW here at DNI it seems that there has been a little to much dissecting. At some point you have anarchy. Right now SoS Gates, is complaining about the lack of proper use of the systems in the inventory now. I don’t see Marines using basic combat tactics. What if Strategy is out the window in 4GW. It becomes every individual and city state for themselves.
How about this for a strategy, separation of church and state! If the US was able to say we’re after religious radicals and favor no religion, that would drawl massive support from all the disillusioned. But when everyone knows Christianity rules here that’s book thumper vs. book thumper. IMO the view that some believe it was the Christian mind sit of (we are at the end of days) that played a part in Rome’s fall, is true.

By: simontmn

simontmn — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:11:35 +0000

I think the British Army has a pretty strong peacekeeping/making culture developed partly through colonial policing, but especially in Northern Ireland, so de-escalation as a strategy is a lot less alien to them than to the US Army. In fact I think in the British army the units *lacking* this ethos are the notable ones - eg the elite Paratroop Regiment did not, leading to the Bloody Sunday massacre in Londonderry when they responded to ineffective IRA fire by firing into a crowd of demonstrators, killing 14 and generating a huge propaganda win for the IRA.

By: Max

Max — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:27:12 +0000

It’s going to be painfull and difficult in practical terms to come to grips with.

First is the admission that the current tactics,
and stratigies are a failure. That’s a tall
order, just to get past that.

I commend Mr. Lind for his efforts, lesser men,
perhaps including myself, would throw up their hands in frustration and storm out.

Moreover, thinking through the consiqueneces
of actions, reactions, and counter reactions, is not something that the US military ranks in general seem to be particuarly adept at, or practiced in.

The larger issue of inane political leadership
remains, and probably for the foresseable future.
So effective have been the fear mongering and vested interests in manipulation of public sentiment.

It’s a mighty tough job, and I admire Mr. lind
for taking it on, particuarly at this stage, when he
could simply walk away, and coast through the rest of his career.

Thanks and recognition also to Chet, for a lot of the same applies.

It takes a really deep seated patriotic faith and belief in America, to continue to to fight the good fight in these trying times.

MaX