The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan by Michael Hastings

The book gives a good picture of how modern war is led in the upper echelons. It mentions some of the authors who have written about counterinsurgency which is good if someone wants to read more about the topic. Also it is good to know where Stanley McChrystal and people like him got their ideas. The book ends in the famous downfall of McChrystal. McChrystal can only blame himself that he and his team went down the way they did. Michael Hastings is a reporter and he followed them to make a story. One should be careful around reporters. The later attacks against Hastings character by McChrystal et al were bit childish. One of the more memorable parts of the book is the description of a near mutiny in one of the US bases in Afghanistan.


The Operators

All very well, but EU still lacks muscle to enforce peace if needed. Of course one could stop two warring sides by throwing them with the Treaty of Lisbon.

Viewpoint: Europe must lead global peace drive - Barroso

Interesting articles in Foreign Affairs (Nov/Dec 2012)

Strategy in a Time of Austerity
The Problem with the Pivot
The Future of Special Operations

In 'Strategy in a Time of Austerity' Andrew F. Krepinevich talks about how the US Defence Department should think about nuclear war and 'how a nuclear conflict might be terminated on acceptable terms once begun'. Indeed, 'might' is a good word in this situation. If a conflict escalates between established nuclear powers to a point where they launch nuclear missiles, it is unlikely they will just launch one or two. Not sure if one can talk about acceptable terms when possibly tens of millions have died. And will there be anyone left to negotiate?