In my judgment, Michael Yon is the most honest and fairminded voice coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan, public or private. I rely on his insights to form my opinions. Consider buying his 1st edition book; he is an award winning, independent photojournalist http://www.michaelyon-online.com/ the essay on “Gobar gas” is testimony to the power of […]
Tag: Afghanistan
Systems dynamics meets the Afghan war via Powerpoint
It is becoming a common practice to laugh at that slide, but try on this thought experiment: what if someone made a slide of a zoom in on the surface of a semi-conductor chip? Wouldn’t that seem as incomprehensible and “foolish”? and yet by the slow process of developing knowledge we have become capable of extraordinary […]
A reflection on charismatic leadership
Image via Wikipedia I am naturally skeptical about charismatic leaders, but I have seen its power in action. Just before GEN Petraeus left our college to take command in Iraq he gathered faculty and students in our large auditorium, which seats 2500. He spoke in a very relaxed manner, hardly the tone you might expect […]
Complexity and planning for “endstates”
from a discussion on usefulness or not of the “end-state” concept and planning in general when faced with the challenges of nation building: Complexity theory says that complexity arises from a combination of 4 attributes: moderate to high levels of interdependence, connectedness, diversity and adaptation. Complex systems do not lend themselves to cause & effect […]
A report from downrange in Afghanistan
From a good friend, forward deployed in Afghanistan. Keep our brave servicemen and women in your hearts and minds especially over the Veteran’s Day holiday. If you voted, or chose not to vote, on Tuesday, thank a Soldier. Hello again, everyone, Not sure exactly when I sent out my last note, but I don’t think […]