08/10/2020 News & Commentary – National Security

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin

 

1. U.S. National Security Adviser says China targeting 2020 election

2. The U.S. has AI competition all wrong

3. China is counting on Island outposts to project power – But U.S. troops could capture them

4. Conspiracy theorists are convinced there's a secret message hidden in this Army photo

5. Lincoln library cancels exhibition over racial sensitivity concerns

6. Why China is warning Trump of war

7. A view from the CT Foxhole: Chris Costa, Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism

8. Night stalker MH-47 Emerges with mystery modifications during training in Colorado

9. Arrest of Wagner Mercenaries in Belarus: Foiled coup or political theater?

10. Oppose China’s censorship, but don’t kill the Hollywood-military partnership

11. Esper says US troop presence in Afghanistan will be 'less than 5,000' by November

12. The price of peace: Why Japan scrapped a $4.2bn US missile system

13. TikTok is inane. China’s imperial ambition is not.

14. Turning a blind eye internationally will cost us

 

1. U.S. National Security Adviser says China targeting 2020 election

WSJ · by Dustin Volz

I think China may actually be the bigger threat than Russia.

2. The U.S. has AI competition all wrong

Foreign Affairs · by Ben Buchanan · August 7, 2020

An interesting perspective. I have heard it said at conferences that he who controls the data controls the future.

3. China is counting on Island outposts to project power – But U.S. troops could capture them

Forbes · by David Axe · August 9, 2020

Kind of reminds me of the island hopping campaign of WWII to be able extend air power. But will seem simple compared to the modern threat environment.

4. Conspiracy theorists are convinced there's a secret message hidden in this Army photo

taskandpurpose.com · by Jared Keller

You really do have to admire the tenacity of the conspiracy theorists who can find "evidence" of the conspiracy in any situation.

Photos at the link.

5. Lincoln library cancels exhibition over racial sensitivity concerns

The New York Times · by Sarah Bahr · August 5, 2020

6. Why China is warning Trump of war

Washington Examiner · by Tom Rogan · August 9, 2020

7. A view from the CT Foxhole: Chris Costa, Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism

ctc.usma.edu · July 31, 2020

A comprehensive interview. Terrorism is not going away.

8. Night stalker MH-47 Emerges with mystery modifications during training in Colorado

thedrive.com · by Tyler Rogoway · August 9, 2020

There are no more secrets.

9. Arrest of Wagner Mercenaries in Belarus: Foiled coup or political theater?

intpolicydigest.org · by Kseniya Kirillova · August 9, 2020

10. Oppose China’s censorship, but don’t kill the Hollywood-military partnership

militarytimes.com · by Jim Lechner · August 9, 2020

Give Tom Cruise back his flight jacket with the Taiwan patch on it.

 

Some say the decision to remove Cruise's flight jacket is "just a business decision." by the US movie execs.

Yes to us perhaps this is just business. However, I think to the Chinese it is all about controlling the narrative to influence the culture and ensure the young generation around the world grows up with a positive image of China. They are never going to see China or its military or the Communist Party portrayed as a threat because of our business decisions. And they will see more and more of how screwed up the US and the west is. It is subtle now and it will grow. And I think China is banking on our mindset that it is just business - we are willing to sacrifice the portrayal of American values and identity purely for profit while China cares less about profit and more about influence over time. I think China is playing a long game.

11. Esper says US troop presence in Afghanistan will be 'less than 5,000' by November

The Hill · by Justin Wise · August 9, 2020

Focus is always on the top line troop number. What about the capabilities?

12. The price of peace: Why Japan scrapped a $4.2bn US missile system

asia.nikkei.com

A relatively long analysis that covers a lot of ground.

13. TikTok is inane. China’s imperial ambition is not.

Bloomberg · by Niall Ferguson · August 9, 2020

This is the elephant in the room. China is doing a better job of exporting its "culture" and "values." 

14. Turning a blind eye internationally will cost us

ozy.com · by John McLaughlin · August 7, 2020

 

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"Again, unfortunately, we are dealing with jargon, which, as usual, bears only a faint resemblance to well defined, specific concepts."  

- Clausewitz

"The American defense community is especially prone to capture by the latest catchphrase, the new-sounding spin on an ancient idea which as jargon separates those who are truly expert from the lesser breeds without the jargon."  

- Colin Gray

"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely, once they have exhausted all other alternatives."

- Abba Eban