Thoughts for Sunday Afternoon

The posts that caught my eye this week are a diverse lot. But in reflection, they hold an element of connectivity.

Steve DeAngelis, posted on Two Views of the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape where he comments on book reviews in The Economist, that try and forecast the future political landscape of the world. He concludes his comments by referring to his colleague Tom Barnett.

I have heard my colleague Tom Barnett argue that most developing countries that embrace globalization and free markets do so as single-party states. He asserts that many Americans suffer from attention-deficit disorder when it comes to remembering how democracies emerge – "the process is slow and painful." Alternative futures analysis can be very useful in exploring how autocracies might evolve and what that might mean for the global economy.

Moving along to Chet Ricards blog, we are treated to a story connecting orientation, to genetic heritage, Note on Orientation: Genetic Heritage where Chet draws a connection to John Boyd's OODA Theory.

Orientation is an interactive process of many-sided implicit cross-referencing projections, empathies, correlations, and rejections that is shaped by and shapes the interplay of genetic heritage, cultural tradition, previous experiences, and unfolding circumstances.

Related to Chet Richards is the site Defense and the National Interest which introduces itself as:

Our aim is to foster debate on the roles of the U.S. armed forces in the post-Cold War era and on the resources devoted to them. The ultimate purpose is to help create a more effective national defense against the types of threats we will likely face during the first decades of the new millennium.

Thomas Barnett's in This week's column sees a great religious awakening on the horizon.

As our era features globalization's rapid and unprecedented advance, it will logically also feature the greatest single religious awakening the world has ever seen. Religion will become eminently more important because economic conditions will change more dramatically in coming years and decades than at any other time in human history.

Barnett's column deserves a careful read as he traces the development of the major religions and how they have been challenged by globalization. He offers two answers to that perceived challenge.

Based on the American experience, there seem to be two answers: (1) encourage nondenominationalism among the major sects of a country's dominant religion or among the competing religions; (2) allow the religion in question to maintain its social model of separatism while subjugating itself to the secular state.

His final sentence offers hope.

American awakenings share a history of triggering mass social reform. The same can and should be true of globalization's current awakening.

Intrinsically linked to the challenges of change that comes with more and more people getting a fair slice of the pie is the ongoing clashes that are drawn along culture and religious lines. Heading into this next week our attention is drawn to observations made over at Information Dissemination by Galrahn, Observing the Rotation of US Naval Power to the Middle East. His read of these events:

As we read the events as they are disclosed in public sources, we believe the United States is on the verge of major offensive operations in the Middle East.

These rotational periods where strike groups overlap durations in forward theaters do occur every year, and are not abnormal, however it is noteworthy that this year the rotation coincides with a large naval presence from Europe in the 5th Fleet theater. We also observe the possibility that this massive increase of naval power may not be reduced as quickly as we observed it would last week.

And in a related post on Destroyerman, War Beckons, and another link, posted by Galrahn we are left to our own conclusions.

The Nimitz CSG currently on deployment to the Pacific is getting more escorts half way through its deployment. We observe it very rare for a CSG already on deployment to have escorts surged. Can't say we have seen this before, makes us wonder, what is going on in the South Pacific we aren't hearing about.

Time will reveal the whole story, until then we can only watch and wait and reflect on this post about a discovery from another time, Missing WWII Airmen are Identified.

Gunners Mate! "Make ready to Fire"

Wishfully this is the last thing a pirate sees after the next attack on shipping anywhere in the world. Unfortunately the Butt Monkey will raise it's verbal tail and the likelihood of this happening anytime soon, fades unless the currently deployed ships get some reinforcements.

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The news today carries a breeze of hope, when France, U.S. Draft Somalia Piracy Resolution. A reality check on this latest show of cooperation, is provided in the post The Piracy Problem, Politics and Possibilities by Galrahn of Information Dissemination.

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As noted by Galrahn:

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Most Americans don't realize just how low on the priorities list of the US Navy piracy falls in that region. There is a lot more going on in the 5th Fleet than we hear about in the news, and our nations Navy is very busy. Imagine a world where a US Navy ship opens fire in the Strait of Hormuz on an Iranian vessel and nobody hears about it.

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He take the time to put the geography in perspective by equating the area patrolled by an American force of 10 ships, is twice the size of the United States. The priority to curb this scourge seems very obvious. After a failed attack on a Japanese tanker two days ago caused oil to spike to $117 per barrel the problem is getting new attention. Imagine, if a lucky shot or two set fire to a tanker. Oil would skyrocket to prices unheard of today. I am sure the boys with the AQ, are noting this latest reaction to faltering security in this region and weighing their options to increase attacks and jigger the world's economy again.

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Galrahn recommends enlisting additional ships from countries in the Pacific region whose economies are at risk of higher prices. Japan, China, Russia, India, Australia and South Korea could make the difference if the world got serious in stopping this growing problem.

The problem is growing as noted in other posts,Somali Pirates: Spanish boat captured? and Somali pirates: Attack on oil tanker.

Musings on War

Intrepid blogger abu mugqawama has a post that calls attention to the butcher's bill that one of our allies in Afghanistan has paid, No Chickenhawks in the Dutch DoD. He notes that the war has claimed the life of the Son of Dutch Defense Chief Killed - TIME. It made me think that we have only the two sons, of one person aspiring to be our President, serving their country in time of war, Silent Service to the Nation.

Much has been made by President Bush about "The Global War on Terror.:" He has asked America to spend the blood of it's best, and our treasury in a war that must be fought to defeat the greatest threat our country has faced since World War II.

I do not quibble with the war or it's goal, however mis-managed and led in the first four years. But I thought it would be wise to recall the role that presidential offspring played in that last great threat to our way of life.

The living sons and a grandson, of the two presidents Roosevelt, served in World War II. It would be helpful to remember their sacrifice.

President Theodore Roosevelt's sons.

Theodore Jr. A Brigadier General, Won the Medal of Honor leading troops ashore on D-Day and died on active duty in France.

Kermit, Served in the British Army before Pearl Harbor, then joined the US Army, died on duty in Alaska.

Archibald, Was the oldest battalion commander in the army, when wounded in New Guinea.

Quentin, Grandson, was Captain in US Army and present at D-Day.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's sons.

James, US Marine raider officer, Silver Star and Navy Cross for heroism.

Elliott, US Air Corps, decorated for taking controls of damaged B-24, after pilots wounded.

FDR Jr. US Navy, Silver Star and Purple Heart, Commander of USS Moore DE-442.

John A. US Navy officer on carrier USS Wasp.

Quite a list of distinguished men who served their country in time of peril.

I do not suggest that President Bush's daughters be compelled to serve in uniform. but one would think that they would have a higher profile serving our country in other capacities.

The war in Afghanistan has dragged almost two years longer than Iraq. I have written before about our allies and linked utube clips that demonstrated their prowess in battle.Focus on Michael Yon.

To date, forces from thirty seven counties are serving in alongside American units in Afghanistan, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Most countries contribution is small in comparison to the effort by the United States, but a report on Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007 reveals the level of combat that is taking place in the remote passes and valleys of the mountains of Afghanistan.

A Post That Should Worry All Americans

My fellow blogmeister Mark of Zenpundit has published A Call For Radical Transparency in Politics a post by Bruce Kesler of Democracy Project.

The post is a must read for all those who worry about the undue influence that comes when large contributions are made to political leaders and institutes of learning and culture by wealthy interest groups. In the past the concern was big business, and labor unions, it now appears that foreign entities, governments and others, have bought their way into American politics and many of the institutes that shape our culture. I think that this is so pervasive that I am going to do what Zenpundit and Chicago Boyz* have done, and reproduce it in full with Mark's comments.

Mark begins:

My friend Bruce Kesler, who keeps a sharper eye on the fine details of American politics than I do, is dead square right in a recent post at Democracy Project that I reproduce here in full:
Hidden Foreign Contributions Affect US Elections


US election law forbids non-Americans to contribute directly to federal candidates, and qualified donations above $200 are available to public scrutiny. There is a huge loophole – or, more correctly, shroud – over contributions by foreigners to US non-profits, who heavily shape public discussion affecting our elections – and other policies. (There’s, also, some indication that the $200 cut-off for full disclosure of contributions to our campaigns may be another loophole being exploited by some foreigners.)


IRS Form 990 generally requires that non-profits list contributors and their addresses who give $5000 or more. However, non-profits are not required to publicly divulge who they are (with the exception of private foundations and 527’s).


Non-profits include 501(c)(4)’s, which are estimated to spend in 2008 well more than the $424-million that 527’s spent to influence the 2004 elections.

Another area of concern is donations made by foreigners to our universities. Although New York State requires that such contributions be revealed, there is no enforcement and filings are often not made.

In Britain, it is estimated, more funding comes from the Mid East for Islamic Studies departments than from the government.

Ministers labelled Islamic studies a "strategic subject" and said the "effective and accurate teaching" of it in universities could help community cohesion and counter extremism.Similar concerns have been raised in the US about the influence of Mid East contributors on our universities’ curriculum's, and the faculty who influence public discussion. See here and here, for examples.

Former presidents Carter and Clinton have received tens of millions in donations, and more, from foreign sources for their foundations, yet the public knows very little about from whom or how much. Meanwhile, Carter and Clinton take frequent public stands on public policy and candidates for office.

A draft has been released of a revised IRS Form 990. It increases exposure on governance issues, but retains the shroud over contributors to non-profits. At the very least, foreign contributors should be revealed publicly, at least for amounts over the $200 of election laws.
You can send your comments to the IRS during the comment period. It’s as simple as an email to Form990Revision@irs.gov

Mark writes:

Bravo to Bruce for highlighting this important but generally unrecognized problem.

One of the ironies of Beltway incumbent preferred campaign finance regulation like the odious McCain-Feingold law is that it manages to combine restrictions of the political activities and free speech rights of American citizens while granting opacity to wealthy foreigners who seek to influence political discourse here through generous donations to foundations, educational organizations, think tanks, universities, presidential libraries and other institutions that shape our intellectual life. It is completely understandable, given the potential impact of American policies on the rest of the world that other states and their sundry notables would seek to make their voice heard here. To a certain extent, when it’s above board public diplomacy and cultural exchanges, it’s even a good thing. What’s unacceptable is that foreign interests can often buy such influence - which is what they are really doing - under the radar or even behind the shield of legal secrecy. If some of our finest universities were people then they would have already had to register as foreign agents a long, long, loooooooong, time ago.


The same might be said of some former presidents. Or of presidential candidates.


The answer here is not to go on a fruitless legal jihad to ban foreign money, which at times does get turned toward humanitarian or genuinely educational purposes but to require radical transparency of our think tanks, universities, charities and other institutions enjoying tax deductible status but are dedicated to indirectly influencing the political process or policy formation. If an American institution or scholar wants to shill for the Wahabbi Lobby by working for a tank on the take from a senior Saudi prince, or accept grants from PLA-affiliated Chinese corporations, Japanese billionaires, mobbed-up Russian “businessmen” or other foreign sources, fine, but a highly visible disclaimer to that fact ought to be mandatory. If Carnegie or AEI or Harvard departments are advising presidential candidates on Mideast policy then contributions emanating from that region are relevant to the discussion.

If accepting the check in public is cause for dismay then there’s a word for what’s really going on:

Graft.

This revelation comes during former President Carter's trip to the Middle East where he spent most of his time cozying up to Hamas and Hezbollah, after denouncing Israel for the past several months. It would also call to mind recent policy changes in universities in Great Britain and the U.S. making special accommodation for Islam, as they decry any demonstration of faith by other religions as violating the separation of church and state.

It is time for Americans to demand that institutions and all government officials past and present be held accountable as private citizens in their receiving foreign contributions. Some politicians pander to the fear of losing jobs offshore and some universities pretend to be enlightened, while in reality those who we have entrusted to educate our young and govern our destiny, line their pockets with gold from silent masters.

History past and present

Memories of the deeds of men from another war inhabit several blogs this weekend. It begins over at The Destroyermen in a post that traces the journey of the USS Russell as she leaves Pearl Harbor and passes sites of several of the most legendary battles in naval history. Sailing Through History .

In addition, just about every deployment brings a tour of the legendary sites of the largest naval war in history. And for RUSSELL, the trip takes on greater significance as the previous USS RUSSELL, DD-414, participated in many of those engagements, earning sixteen battle stars in just three years of war service.

The Doolittle Raid , courtesy of Steeljaw Scribe tells of the raid by 16 volunteer crews who flew off the decks of a pitching carrier to carry out the first raid on Japan.

Conceived in the dark aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the raid had its genesis in the idea of CAPT Frank Lowe, USN who predicted that Army twin-engine bombers could be launched form a carrier under the right conditions.

And in a series of post entitled Fullbore Friday, CDR Salamander remembers the bravery of men who crewed World War II Destroyers.

The destroyer escort was part of a screening unit to protect a force of American aircraft carriers. When the enemy opened fire at 7 o'clock that morning, the ROBERTS immediately sought to protect her "flattops." The first step was to lay a smoke screen and then, steaming under cover of her own screen, the ROBERTS approached within 4,000 yards of a Jap heavy cruiser, fired three torpedoes, and returned to the protection of the smoke. One of the torpedoes struck home and started fires in the enemy ship.

Finally, history that is being made as you read it. LT G, author of Kaboom War Journal and possibly the most talented writer to ever pick up a pen or strike a keyboard in this war, writes in a style that looks beyond the obvious to let us inside the minds of those we ask to serve. House of the Holy is his latest post.

Augustly, it shoots out of the Babylonian dust to defy the sandstone skyline. Surrounded by a haphazard maze of tiny homes and shops lacquered in grime, a sea green minaret sits on top of the building like a crown. It has overseen more easy wars and more fragile peaces than any human being could ever fathom, even in this post- oral history era. The mosque stands as proudly today as the day it first became a place of worship, many dawns ago. This is just one of those dawns.

Pick any thing he has written and you will find yourself amazed at his prose. The Five-O and Sadr's Spring Jam offer a little taste.

Back to The Future, for the Army and Navy

There has been a series of battles going on in the Pentagon about the future role of the different branches of the U.S. Military. The sounds of battle have echoed across the Potomac, and into the halls of congress, where sides have been drawn depending on who's favorite procurement project is threatened. Within the services, officers who's views in the past would be privy only to their colleagues, are published in articles and op-ed pieces like, "Misreading the Surge and A Battalion's Worth of Good Ideas, giving the general public a window on the conversation about how to best prepare to defend the nation.

Jim Hoadland of the Washington Post in an article this Sunday writes about the, War at the Pentagon.

The most intense arguments over U.S. involvement in Iraq do not flare at this point on Capitol Hill or on the campaign trail. Those rhetorical battles pale in comparison to the high-stakes struggle being waged behind closed doors at the Pentagon

On one side are the "fight-win guys," as some describe themselves. They are led by Gen. David Petraeus and other commanders who argue that the counterinsurgency struggle in Iraq must be pursued as the military's top priority and ultimately resolved on U.S. terms.
In this view, the Middle East is the most likely arena for future conflicts, and Iraq is the prototype of the war that U.S. forces must be trained and equipped to win.

Arrayed against them are the uniformed chiefs of the military services who foresee a "broken army" emerging from an all-out commitment to Iraq that neglects other needs and potential conflicts. It is time to rebuild Army tank battalions, Marine amphibious forces and other traditional instruments of big-nation warfare -- while muddling through in Iraq.

Hoagland notes that each service the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are struggling to define their roles.

In a related article, Thomas Barnett in his This week's column sheds further light on the battle within the Pentagon. He echos Hoagland when he describes the two sides.

On one side are those who argue that Iraq is "ruining" the force, making it unprepared for major wars. On the other side are those who see Iraq as harbinger for a far messier global landscape.
Americans should pay attention to this larger debate because our nation's military capabilities determine the possibilities of its foreign policy and grand strategy.

Tom again as in his column last week, reaches back into American History to explain the changes that the military is debating and in principle are implementing.

The big shift here is between the Army and Navy, and both sides feel plenty of angst.
For the vast bulk of its history, the Navy, in combination with the Marines, has been that "everything else" force: Until World War II, America had a Department of War (Army) and a Department of Navy.

During the Cold War, the Navy became fixated on the Soviet threat like every other service, and submarine commanders dominated its leadership.

After the Cold War, the Navy and Marines made a doctrinal bid to manage the world. In a mini-me version of the Powell Doctrine, they promised to deal with smaller crises, leaving the Air Force and Army to worry about big wars.

But that combination proved insufficient across the 1990s, and once the global war on terror kicked in and America quickly became saddled with two long-term nation-building exercises, it became clear that the Army was looking at a back-to-the-future transformation.

By that I mean the Army returns to what it did prior to World War I, serving as the nation's primary constabulary/frontier integrating force. Think back to the post-Civil War Army "departments" in the trans-Mississippi West -- basically forerunners to today's worldwide system of regional combatant commands.

Tom goes on to note that the Army has broken the force structure back down to brigade size units that resemble the old regimental system that served the Army prior to WW I. Frontier Cavalry.

Covering the Navy transition to "Back to the Future" when the Navy was the department of everything else, is the informative blog,Information Dissemination which has a series of posts on

Soft Power. In the years prior to World War II the U S Navy was the mailed fist of diplomacy, securing the sea lanes, showing the flag, and providing assistance in times of distress.

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Those interested in following this ongoing battle can follow the skirmishes, reported by their favorite news source, or visit the Small Wars Journal and the links on this blog, for in depth reflection.

WILLPOWER

“Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties – and confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” — Vice Admiral James Stockdale

The past weeks this blog has been spending time recognizing and discussing the military forces that as the last post will attest, we need desperately in order to maintain order and ensure the environment where humans can flourish. Turning away from that subject, this post will highlight a post today by Steve DeAngelis, Enterra Solutions blog.

Steve addresses The Importance of Willpower, something that every single person on this planet can relate too. Steve starts out by noting how important willpower is to a successful business. He goes on to illustrate it's importance to our everyday lives. By linking an article in the April 2nd, New York Times by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang, entitled,"Tighten Your Belt, Strengthen Your Mind."

The brain’s store of willpower is depleted when people control their thoughts, feelings or impulses, or when they modify their behavior in pursuit of goals. Psychologist Roy Baumeister and others have found that people who successfully accomplish one task requiring self-control are less persistent on a second, seemingly unrelated task.

Steve's dissection of the article is masterful and serves to give the reader ample substance to consider. He adds sparse comments as he includes larges swatches of the Times article to strengthen the reader's willpower to take the time to read the whole article and then spend time thinking about how it relates to their busy lives.

Many days we all feel overwhelmed by the Black Swans, those unexpected things that alter our lives either by a degree or a whole compass heading. Having the willpower to be prepared to weather the unexpected is crucial to survival.

The past few months this blog has written about many who have demonstrated willpower, people like Michael Monsoor, John McCain, LT G, Tom Barnett, the men of the USS Russell, and those who are nameless, except by the description of their talent and perseverance. We all know people around us who are focused and dedicated to achieving their goals against difficult odds. It is important to encourage them and share all the tools of life in order to prepare them for the future.

It is to those nameless people, this article is posted as a reminder to maintain faith in yourselves. The distance of time and location does not dim the hope I have for your futures.

French Couillies II

As a follow-up to the story, The French Des Couilles where it was being speculated that the French would take action against the Somali pirates who seized a French vessel and her crew of 30 last week. Not since the times of the painting above, has piracy been dealt with so quickly.

The French waited until the ransom was paid and the hostages freed to strike back. And reported in a post by Information Dissemination entitled, Vive La France: France Raids Somalian Pirate Camp. French Special Forces then raided the pirates, captured 6 and are returning them to France for trial.

The French Admiral said:

"It is the first time an act of piracy in this area has been resolved so quickly ... and it is also the first time that some of the pirates have been apprehended," Admiral Edouard Guillard told the news conference.

Viva La France!

Son of Orange County

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Today April 8, 2008 a young man from my home county, was awarded the nations highest honor for giving his life so other's might live. The Parents and family, of Petty Officer Michael Monsoor of Garden Grove, California were presented the Medal of Honor, by President Bush in a ceremony at the White House. Bush Awards Medal of Honor to Navy SEAL.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT PRESENTATION OF MEDAL OF HONOR
TO PETTY OFFICER MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, U.S. NAVY

East Room

3:07 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, and welcome.

The Medal of Honor is America's highest decoration for military valor. Over the years, many who have received the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it. The name of Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor will now be among them.

In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. Today, we remember the life of this faithful Navy SEAL. And on behalf of a grateful nation, we will present Michael Monsoor's family with the Medal of Honor that he earned.

I welcome the Vice President. Secretary of Defense Gates, thank you for coming. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Peake; Secretary Don Winter of the Navy; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and wife, Deborah; General James Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Annette; Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, and wife, Ellen; Senator John McCain; Congressman Ed Royce; Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.

Previous Medal of Honor recipients, thank you for joining us.

I appreciate Chaplain Burt; Navy SEALS -- the finest warriors on the face of the Earth; the Monsoor family, and everybody else.

The Medal of Honor is awarded for an act of such courage that no one could rightly be expected to undertake it. Yet those who knew Michael Monsoor were not surprised when he did. This son of Orange County, California, grew up in a family where helping others was a way of life. Mike's father was a Marine; his mother a social worker. Together, they raised their four children to understand the meaning of service and sacrifice.

From a very early age, Mike showed the strength of his own convictions. Apparently going to kindergarten wasn't one of them. Mike had no complaints after the first week of school -- until someone broke the news to him that he had to go back the next week. (Laughter.) Many mornings, Mike refused to put on the nice clothes for school. Instead, he insisted on wearing mismatched outfits. Mike's mother soon discovered there was no stopping the determined young boy from mixing plaids and stripes. And years later, there would be no stopping an even more determined young man from donning a uniform of Navy Blue.

In some ways, Mike was an unlikely candidate for the Navy. He suffered from terrible asthma as a child. On some nights, his coughing fits would land him in the hospital. But Mike would not lie low for long. He strengthened his lungs by racing his siblings in the swimming pool. He worked to wean himself off his inhaler. He built himself into a superb athlete -- excelling from sports like football to snowboarding.

After enlisting in the Navy, he began preparing for the ultimate test of physical endurance: SEAL training. Less than a third of those who begin this training become SEALs. But Mike would not be denied a spot. In September 2004, he earned the right to wear the Navy SEAL trident.

The newly minted frogman became a beloved member of the SEAL team community. His teammates liked to laugh about the way his shiny Corvette would leave everybody in the dust. But deep down, they always knew Mike would never leave anybody behind when it counted. He earned their confidence with his attention to detail and quiet work ethic. One of Mike's officers remembers an instructor once asking after an intense training session, "What's the deal with the Monsoor guy? He just says, 'Roger that,' to everything."

When Mike deployed with his team to Ramadi in the spring of 2006, he brought that attitude with him. Because he served as both a heavy machine gunner and a communications operator, he often had a double load of equipment -- sometimes more than a hundred pounds worth. But under the glare of the hot desert sun, he never lost his cool.

At the time, Ramadi was in the clutches of al Qaeda terrorists and insurgents. Together, the SEALs and the Army 1st Battalion of the 506 Infantry Regiment took the offense against the enemy. The SEALs carried out a broad range of special operations -- including providing sniper cover in tough urban conditions, and conducting raids against terrorists and insurgents. Overall, Mike's platoon came under enemy attack during 75 percent of their missions. And in most of these engagements, Mike was out front defending his brothers.

In May 2006, Mike and another SEAL ran into the line of fire to save a wounded teammate. With bullets flying all around them, Mike returned fire with one hand while helping pull the injured man to safety with the other. In a dream about the incident months later, the wounded SEAL envisioned Mike coming to the rescue with wings on his shoulders.

On Saint Michael's Day -- September 29, 2006 -- Michael Monsoor would make the ultimate sacrifice. Mike and two teammates had taken position on the outcropping of a rooftop when an insurgent grenade bounced off Mike's chest and landed on the roof. Mike had a clear chance to escape, but he realized that the other two SEALs did not. In that terrible moment, he had two options -- to save himself, or to save his friends. For Mike, this was no choice at all. He threw himself onto the grenade, and absorbed the blast with his body. One of the survivors puts it this way: "Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, 'You cannot take my brothers. I will go in their stead.'"

Perhaps the greatest tribute to Mike's life is the way different service members all across the world responded to his death. Army soldiers in Ramadi hosted a memorial service for the valiant man who had fought beside them. Iraqi Army scouts -- whom Mike helped train -- lowered their flag, and sent it to his parents. Nearly every SEAL on the West Coast turned out for Mike's funeral in California. As the SEALs filed past the casket, they removed their golden tridents from their uniforms, pressed them onto the walls of the coffin. The procession went on nearly half an hour. And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.

For his valor, Michael Monsoor becomes the fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the war on terror. Like the three men who came before him, Mike left us far too early. But time will not diminish his legacy. We see his legacy in the SEALs whose lives he saved. We see his legacy in the city of Ramadi, which has gone from one of the most dangerous places in Iraq to one of the most safest. We see his legacy in the family that stands before us filled with grief, but also with everlasting pride.

Mr. and Mrs. Monsoor: America owes you a debt that can never be repaid. This nation will always cherish the memory of your son. We will not let his life go in vain. And this nation will always honor the sacrifice he made. May God comfort you. May God bless America.

Come on up. And now George and Sally Monsoor will be here -- a Military Aide will read the citation.

The citation is read:

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Master At Arms Second Class, Sea, Air and Land, Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006.

As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(The Medal of Honor is presented.) (Applause.)

END 3:17 P.M. EDT

Courtesy of Blackfive who posted the above citation and a fine background article on.US Navy Seal Mike Monsoor - Awarded the Medal of Honor.


Comments

The French Des Couilles

Contemporary popular history has been tough on the French. Jokes about surrender and the coolness of relations after the start of the Iraq War should be tempered with the acknowledgement that France has a new president, elected by people who knew of his desire for a change in direction. These updates courtesey of Information Dissemination and Eagle1 on the breaking story of the seizure of a French cruise ship by Somalia pirates France Pulls Out the Big Stick, and Somali Pirates: Not Home in Eyl? show that the French are showing some couilles (balls).

France regardless of popular myth, have sent their forces in harms way many times in the past half-century, as peace-keepers in Africa, and the Middle-East. They have taken casualties and have not been afraid to shoot back when shot at.

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History almost forgets the suicide bombing in Beirut that took lives of French soldiers as well as US Marines.

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The toll for those to young or forgetful to remember:

"In the attack on the American barracks, the death toll was 241 American servicemen: 220 Marines, 18 Navy personnel and 3 Army soldiers. Sixty Americans were injured. In the attack on the French barracks, 58 paratroopers were killed and 15 injured, in the single worst military loss for France since the end of the Algerian war.[6] In addition, the elderly Lebanese custodian of the Marines' building was killed in the first blast.[5] The wife and four children of a Lebanese janitor at the French building were also killed.[7]"

The French have been our allies for over two hundred years and this writer wishes them godspeed in their efforts to crush this scourge.

A History Lesson for Reflection on Sunday

Today, and for the past five years we have been engaged in trying to jump-start democracy in Iraq. The question is it worth it, lay on the minds of all reasonable people.

Tom Barnett's Sunday column offers a short lesson in American History that puts our own timeline of democracy in prospective.This week's column.

"Americans spend little time remembering our history, preferring to focus on current and future accomplishments. That attitude gives us a bit of attention-deficit disorder when it comes to judging other countries' political evolutions."

His column addresses a pet peeve of mine that many Americans not only have the attention-deficit disorder, but seem to fall into two categories.

Those who see America's development faults as un-erasable sins, that condemn the country for not instantly becoming a Shangri-La with the Declaration of Independence. And those who only see the gilded myth of "A City on a Hill" that grants us the right to see our system as an elixir, curing all ills, and offered by edict and imposition to failed states.

What Tom Barnett does in less that 750 words is a worthy lesson in American History:

It took America quite some time to develop this democracy we cherish.

Remember that when you decry "sham" elections abroad or declare single-party states "dictatorships." Because if mature, multiparty democracy was so darn easy, everybody would have one.

Adding a more recent example of the difficulty in developing a democratic society, is an article in the Washington Post Iraq Is a Mess. But Germany Was, Too, by David Stafford, author of "Endgame 1945: The Missing Final Chapter of World War II."

And if that is not enough to reflect upon. Here is a post by LT G in Iraq, who gives a lesson in the Rules of Engagement . Irony would have it that his latest post, relates to Barnett's lesson on America's founding. Dead Guy Quote (10) .

Silent Service to the Nation

Following the recent posts this week about the U.S. Military and the strategy of what will happen over the next four to eight years is an article in the April 6, 2008, New York Times by Jodi Kantor, McCain Is Vocal on War, but Silent on Son’s Service. The title of the article might give the impression that John MaCain is less than proud of his son's recent service as a Marine in Iraq. That would be the furthest from the truth.

McCain's son Jimmy, like his older brothers, Doug McCain, 48, who was a Navy pilot, and Jack, 21, due to graduate from the Naval Academy next year have all served their country, as did their father, grandfather, great-grandfather and McCain's going back to the nation's roots. The article points out that:

The McCains declined to be interviewed for this article, which the campaign requested not be published. “The McCain campaign objects strongly to this intrusion into the privacy of Senator McCain’s son,” Steve Schmidt, a campaign spokesman, said in a statement. “The children of presidential candidates in this election cycle should be afforded the same respect for their privacy that the children of President Bush and President and Senator Clinton have been afforded.” (To protect Lance Corporal McCain in case he is again deployed to a war zone, The New York Times is not publishing recent photographs of him and has withheld some details of his service).

The net result of the article is to illustrate that the McCain family puts their love for, and sense of duty to the country at the centerpiece of their lives. They have done it for generations, something that every American should aspire too. Regardless of the election, the nation has been and will continue to be served well by the McCains.

The Aftermath of the "Global War on Terror"

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This past week I have written about our military and linked several sites that provide insight on the current status of our military and the lives of the men and women who serve. Both General Marshall and General Petraus have served with distinction and remained steadfast to serve the best interests of the American people. Recently others, have attempted to politicize the military. Is it a symptom that something is wrong with our direction, or the efforts of the military-industrial complex to continue to build for war as we knew it, not as it will be in the future?

Being Saturday morning, I sat down with a cup of coffee and began to read my favorite blogs. The first stop abu mugqawama made me sit up and take notice. The post, The Iraq Narrative(s) was about several articles that have appeared in the past week about the war and the changes and challenges that will come with a new president, Obama, McCain or Clinton.

The most thought provoking piece is the article by Richard Kohn on the coming crisis in civil-military relations, first posted by Dave at Small Wars Journal. Abu takes the article and mirrors it against narratives written by Fred and Kimberly Kagan, about the battle in Brasra and others who cover the whole spectrum of views right to left. Like the aftermath of Vietnam, where no clear cut victory can be declared the "Stab in the Back" syndrome will be color the dialogue for the next generation.

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Abu ends with a disturbing observation that as he notes would sicken anyone who understands and believes in the rule of law places our military under civilian control, where the military stayed out of politics until they retired.

But like Tom Ricks, Abu Muqawama lives in fear of this "stabbed in the back" narrative that the less scrupulous members of the Weekly Standard/National Review crowd will push relentlessly if Obama becomes president and starts moving troops out of Iraq to Afghanistan as he had pledged to do. This is not good for the country, it's not good for the military, and it's a disaster for civil-military relations.While we're on the subject, do you know what else isn't good for the country? The way this organization in particular has egregiously politicized Gen. David Petraeus. Abu Muqawama is glad George Catlett Marshall did not live to see this video. Sickening:

Returning to the article by Richard Kohn on the coming crisis in civil-military relations, Kohn describes the crisis as:

When a new president takes office in early 2009, military leaders and politicians will approach one another with considerable suspicion. Dislike of the Democrats in general and Bill Clinton in particular, and disgust for Donald Rumsfeld, has rendered all politicians suspect in the imaginations of generals and admirals. The indictments make for a long list: a beleaguered military at war while the American public shops at the mall; the absence of elites in military ranks; the bungling of the Iraq occupation; the politicization of General David Petraeus by the White House and Congress; an army and Marine Corps exhausted and overstretched, their people dying, their commitments never-ending.

Kohn asks two questions:

While civil-military relations at the beginning of the Republic involved real fears of a coup, for the last two centuries the concern has revolved around relative influence: can the politicians (often divided among themselves) really “control” the military? Can the generals and admirals secure the necessary resources and autonomy to accomplish the government’s purposes with minimal loss of blood and treasure?

The article is detailed and will require time to digest. It does not have all the answers, it's mission is to provoke thought and engage the public in a debate that as free citizens is their birthright to control.

Soldiers and civilians alike will have momentous decisions to make. Politicians will have to choose whether to lead or to hide, whether in the name of maintaining or establishing their bona fides as “supporters of the military” they will put off decisions that upend the current and unsustainable order of things. Military leaders face their most important choice in more than half a century: whether to cooperate and assist in this effort, or to resist past the point of advice and discussion, to the detriment of their service, national defense, and indeed their professional souls.

If this is not enough to provoke your thoughts then this post by Mark over at Zenpundit.com will toss another cup of fuel on the fire that our military and the citizens they serve are operating in different worlds. Seeds of a Caste Soldiery. Mark's concern is that:

Throughout history, civilized societies have basically fielded armies with three different orientations: caste, professionals and citizen-soldiers. The United States opted with the switch to the All-Volunteer Force under the Nixon administration to abandon conscription and adopt a professional ethos. The above policy of the U.S. Army is essentially a humane, on-the-spot, accommodation to demographic changes in the force and the exigencies of war in Iraq; but it also highlights an incipient trend toward the emergence of a military caste within American society.

My observation is that both posts and the attendant articles call attention to something that threatens us as a society as gravely as any outside threat. History is full of examples where the society lived large and it's military and government spent the countries treasury to the breaking point. France in the 18th century comes to mind. Louis XIV of France.

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His numerous wars and extravagant palaces and châteaux effectively bankrupted the State (though it must also be said that France was able to recover in a matter of years), forcing him to levy higher taxes on the peasants and incurring large State debts from various financiers as the nobility and clergy had exemption from paying these taxes and contributing to public funds. Yet, it must be emphasized that it was the State and not the country which was impoverished.

It might be noted that France never fully recovered. Less than a century later, her army stood aside as the citizens rose against a government that did not serve the best interest of the people.

I would not be so naive or stupid, to suggest that this is the path for the United States. Our system was designed to prevent power from becoming to concentrated at the top.

The bottom line is that we would not be the first great power to bankrupt ourselves trying to play "king of the mountain." Nor, am I suggesting that our military is out of touch with society. As a nation we need to find the strategy that remains flexible and able to innovate and evolve to meet the challenges and the nation's best interests.

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In a post that reflects the type of up and coming leaders our military is producing. I turn to Tom Barnett, who this week addressed the cadet corp at West Point, with accompanying pictures Tom's recent pix.

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The comment by James Chastian reflects that our future centurions get the message.

Dr. Barnett: Thank you for your lecture. It was the most exciting guest lecture of the year. I am posting a comment from one of our "Firstie" (Senior) high ranking cadets. Again, thank you. Representative cadet comment: My bottom line up front is that Dr. Barnett was by far one of the best academic lecturers I have seen in my time at the Academy. I am almost stunned by how good of a lecture that was. His breadth of knowledge and experience was incredible and the topics he covered were clearly extremely relevant to our future profession. Beyond that, he was a very captivating speaker and was able to use humor and delivery to keep the audience keenly interested. I feel the Academy needs to pursue more speakers like Dr. Barnett whose words force us to think critically about issues of strategic importance. I am grateful to Department of Geography & Environmental Engineering for acquiring such a remarkable speaker in Dr. Barnett and I hope that other departments will choose to do the same.
Posted by James Chastain April 4, 2008 8:34 AM

Enjoy your Saturday, as you digest this latest brain food.

"Shiver Me Timbers...Pirates!" Said the First Mate

While the focus of the nation and the world has been mostly on the battles in Iraq and Afghanistan, a sinister scourge has been blooming like algae in the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, the Horn of Africa and the Malacca Straits in South East Asia. Piracy has returned with a vengeance not seen in almost two hundred years to prey on ships and their crews.

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The latest headlines today, tells of The hijacking of the French cruise ship Le Ponant, a 288 ft three masted ship that was returning to the Mediterranean after dropping off her passengers in the Seychelles. The pirates thought to be based out of Somalia seized the ship and her crew of 30 yesterday. The French Navy along with the ships of Task Force 150 of the US Fifth Fleet are in the area. Several blogs are following this development better that the MSM, Pirates seize French ship off Somalia.

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Information Dissemination and Eagle1 are covering this story with an eye to detail and their minds tuned into the larger strategic picture. They noted a link to a incident map showing piracy in the Horn of Africa. UNOSAT_Somalia_Pirate_Attacks_Map_2007_Highres_v4.pdf (5.9MB).

The map is just the tip of one iceberg that threatens commerce. The Piracy attacks map. gives an overlay of attacks world wide spanning several years.

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The good news is that warships from many countries are joining the effort to suppress this threat. Countries that for the past half century have been content to stay in their home waters and let the United States, be the ocean police.

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This growing problem comes at a time when our own Navy is challenged about how to construct the fleet for the next half of the 21st century. That debate continues to sputter and flare, as the Navy struggles to build the right combination of ships, as two forces debate having big expensive blue water fighting force or sea control with many smaller ships that can cover a wider area and prevent the incidents as described above, from continuing to be a common occurrence. This debate is being covered in the most insightful manner by Galrahn, at Information Dissemination, with posts like LCS, and Shipbuilding.

Equal Time to The Land Forces

The last two posts have focused on the United States Navy and the great new blog, Destroyermen. Today, I am going to focus on the land forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the most important unvarnished reports covering the operations in Iraq is an on-line magazine written by Michael Yon. His latest posts and photos give insight to what is happening beyond the Green Zone, and should not be missed.

A new blog reporting about Afghanistan, Ghosts of Alexander focuses on a theatre that gets all too little attention. Written by someone who describes himself as; "I am not in the military, nor have I ever served. I am in the research phase of my PhD. I will write about conflict related issues in Afghanistan: politics, culture, reconstruction, civil-military relations and insurgency."

It provides insight to the current situation and past history as to how the war developed.

Iraq has several military blogs, two of the best are, Mudville gazette and Kaboom War Journal. They report to the reader like only a soldier can. Reading their posts is like reading mail from a friend or family member away at war, it makes us contected to their experience.

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On the home front, Small Wars Journal provides a forum for discussion about military tactics and strategy, in the small wars past and present. As a bonus they offer a daily roundup of editorials from major newspapers. This journal has grown into an often quoted source for military affairs. The contributions flow from active duty soldiers, veterans, academia and concerned citizens worldwide.

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abu mugqawama states that it; is a blog dedicated to following issues related to contemporary insurgencies as well as counterinsurgency tactics and strategy. Abu Muqawama aims to be a resource for students, counter insurgents, academics, and the general public.

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Written by two intrepid souls who are not afraid to speak their minds in all matters noted in their headline. This blog always informs, while making one think. Interspersed with their biting commentary are tidbits of irony that drive home the points they are trying to make.

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Each site mentioned, offers many links that will give you more facets and sources with which to use your critical thinking skills. If you want to stay informed on the truth about what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan and the state of international conflict, take the time to read the above recommended sites.