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.
FBI, NSA testimony: No to Obama wiretap, Yes to Russian interference and Trump-Russia investigation
The much anticipated hearing by the House Intelligence Committee began this morning, ending shortly after 3:pm. FBI Director James Comey and National Security
Middle East – North Africa News Brief: Regional Low Intensity Conflicts
| [BAHRAIN]: Continuous calls for protests rang throughout the week. The protests continued with near daily pro-Shiite protests. The majority are carried
Trump’s NASA budget cut: in space no one can hear you say ‘meh’
Relative to other agencies NASA’s budget cuts under the Trump proposal may not seem dire, but for an agency tasked with “increasing
Two courts strike Trump travel ban, citing past rhetoric and flawed natsec reasons
President Trump and his team’s past anti-Muslim rhetoric, ill advised tweets, a series of flawed national security arguments, and Lyndon B. Johnson,
Assault on al Raqqa commences, but cooperation between coalitions is critical
al Raqqa, Syria – With US Marines arriving to provide artillery, intelligence, and additional air support, all the pieces are in place.
Reports raise concerns of increased Russian influence in Libya, region
Over the weekend regional strongman and Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar launched attacks on the city of al Sidra, the country’s largest oil
Dutch elections to test populism in Europe, with far right Geert Wilders
Dutch elections will be held today, testing the popularity of the right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV) of Geert Wilders. These elections are
Rex Tillerson accused of using email alias to discuss climate, fails to disclose
While CEO of Exxon, current Secretary of State Rex Tillerson used an email address with the pseudonym “Wayne Tracker” from 2008 to
China, North Korea tensions rise after a week of escalation
Escalation began last week after North Korea tested four medium range missiles, in response to annual U.S. and South Korea joint military exercises. Over the following
#3Marines is LIVE! Ep. 14: Superheroes v. Sports heroes
#3Marines is back with Ep.14 – Superheroes v. Sports heroes Edition. This week, 3Marines once again welcomes guest co-host Michael Gardner, and the
Middle East – North Africa News Brief: Regional Low Intensity Conflicts
| [EGYPT]: Low levels of militant violence continue to surge throughout Egypt. Since the Giza shootout on March 2nd there have been
New poll shows close presidential race for Marine Le Pen – the ‘Trump effect’?
Current national polling in the French presidential election has far right National Front party leader Marine Le Pen, and Emmanuel Macron, a former
Republican science bills raise serious concerns about the EPA and deregulation
The Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act (HONEST Act, H.R. 1430) and the Science Advisory Board Reform Act (SAB Act,
New study about fruits and vegetables just right for our urban farmers
Last month a new study prompted the Imperial College of London to announce that it would double the UK’s guidelines for fruits