daniel ellsberg

Will a wave of leakers undercut America’s national security?

Summary: Will hordes of Americans working for security services become leakers, undercutting the government’s wall of secrecy and endangering national security? Many national security experts worry about this. Before we attempt an answer, let’s examine why people become leakers — and who becomes leakers. . Why become a leaker? Two of the most prominent recent …

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Presidential decision-making about Vietnam and Afghanistan: “You have 3 choices, sir”

Summary:  More similarities between the Vietnam and Af-Pak Wars.  These wars are different in almost every way.  The only common element:  us.  We’re using the same flawed decision-making process — making similar mistakes. Consequently, IASF requires more forces. … The greater resources will not be sufficient to achieve success, but will enable implementation of the new …

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Let’s blow the fog away and see what General McChrystal really said

Summary:  the McChrystal’s Assesment consists of layers of absurdity, piled high.  Future generations will study it as a prime example of early 21st century madness, when such a thing was taken seriously. Essentials of the McChrystal’s Initial Commander’s Assessment of the Af-Pak War, released 30 August 2009. Amnesia is the essential requirement The key strategic element …

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Another note from our past, helping us see our future

Sometimes history does more than rhyme.  It repeats because the structures of our government produces consistent outcomes, like McDonald’s produces fries.  Here is an essay from the past as apt today as when it was written. In know of very few Americans as yet who have really confronted that question closely. And I think it …

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How many troops would it take to win in Afghanistan?

Summary:   How many troops must we send to win in Afghanistan.  It’s a key question that receives too little attention in public sources, other than guessing.   What have our generals told DoD planners?  Are we being guided into a larger war according to a well-considered plan?  Or are we sliding thoughtlessly into a larger war, as we …

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