Disrupting Geostrategic Thought
Futura Consideranda: Consequential Leadership
A Leader Considers History There are many qualities required of a worthwhile leader. Having good advisers is an excellent start. Another key quality is the ability to think in terms of tomorrow.
Idle Meandering Thoughts (Part 2 of 2)
Russian intelligence has a long-running interest in identifying, collecting, correlating and ultimately exploiting information that users would rather remain obscure.
Politics as the Continuation of Conflict
John Sjoholm analyzes hybrid conflict and Russian strategic thinking.
Guarding the Guard: When the Cellist Held the Rifle
A profile of Mstislav Rostropovich: cellist, conductor, exile, and the refusal to become harmless. Personal authors note:I have returned to this one photograph for years. I first saw it in the 1990s,
The Reliability Problem
American systems and security availability become less predictable when the security situation accelerates and becomes acute for the recipient. Ukraine experienced this dynamic, and Taiwan now appears to be encountering the same
Lebanon: Inside the Shell
The 2008 Lebanon conflict continues to be misunderstood in much of Western discourse as a confrontation between a sovereign state and a non-state militia ...
Lebanon: Beirut and the Polycentric Reality
The balance of power in Lebanon may be shifting. In a few days, I will again be involved in discussions with a Middle Eastern client on regional developments. Without disclosing anything sensitive,
Stably Unstable: The Architecture of Russia’s Hybrid War in the Western Balkans (2026)
Russia’s hybrid war in the Western Balkans in 2026 reflects a mature strategy. Rather than seeking escalation, Moscow seeks position. It is a case study in a long‑term, managed, condition. And, for Moscow, a
Working Hypothesis: Europe Seeks Relative Advantage from US Overextension
U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure are unlikely to achieve compliance goals. The more probable response is indirect escalation through asymmetric means, calibrated to impose cost without inviting immediate, decisive retaliation. This is
Mission Profile: Soft Power as the New Dominion
Donald Trump and his administration’s haphazard approach to alliance discipline, strategic continuity, and the maintenance of American primacy supplied the final lesson: Europe can no longer rely on the American security order.
Secretary of Defense Mattis hints of arming Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine [LC] During the first visit to Ukraine by an American defense secretary in nearly a decade, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
Jared Kushner’s Middle East tour hits Egypt, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel [LC] President Trump’s advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in an effort to
President Trump’s rally in Phoenix raises more than eyebrows
Phoenix, Arizona [LC] President Trump addressed a crowd of supporters last night during a 77 minute speech described by Fox News as,
Remains of a number of USS John S. McCain Sailors located
CHANGI NAVAL BASE, Republic Of Singapore Remains belonging to some of the 10 missing Sailors aboard the USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) have
India Supreme Court ends ‘triple talaq’ divorce law for Muslim women
New Delhi, India [LC] India’s Supreme Court has blocked a Muslim “triple talaq” divorce law until the government issues new legislation. For
Turkey to refuse teaching evolution in schools
Turkey’s new school curriculum, which goes into effect this autumn, will no longer include evolution as part of its teachings. Instead the
IoT Cyber Security Improvement Act looks to bolster US cyber defenses
A group of U.S. Senators are currently attempting to push a bipartisan bill through the Senate which aims to address a growing
Bloodiest week in the Philippines’ War on Drugs
Manila, Philippines [LC] Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Manila today to condemn the killing of a 17-year-old student,
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP August 12 – August 19: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [BAHRAIN]: Shia opposition groups continue to
U.S. and South Korea to proceed with joint military exercises, Ulchi-Freedom Guardian
BEIJING, LC The United States and South Korea will proceed with joint military exercises next week, a U.S. military official said on
President Trump disbands independent business advisory boards
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK President Donald Trump disbanded two business advisory councils on Wednesday, following the resignations of CEO’s from the councils over the
More resignations from Trump Council over Charlottesville response
Tuesday, the sixth member of President Trump’s Manufacturing Jobs Initiative announced their resignation. Richard L. Trumka, President of the 12.5 million member AFL-CIO,
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP August 1 – August 12: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [BAHRAIN]: Shia opposition groups continue to
Gov. Terry McAuliffe to Charlottesville neo-Nazis, white supremacists, ‘GO HOME’
Charlottesville, Virginia – Amid 3 dead and over a dozen injured after violence erupted and a man drove a car into a crowd