Iraq, demonstrating its ever increasing desire to take control of affairs within its borders, has denied Blackwater an operating license in the country.
Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim Khalaf told CNN the ministry denied the request mainly because of a September 2007 shooting incident in which security guards — then employed by Blackwater — fired on a crowd and killed 17 Iraqis.
A U.S. Embassy official in Baghdad, who asked not to be named, confirmed the report.
“We have been informed that Blackwater’s … operating license will not be granted,” the official said. “We don’t have specifics about dates. We are working with the government of Iraq and 
our contractors to address the implications of this decision.”
It does have major implication for security of U.S. officials in Iraq because Blackwater does have one of the largest security contracts in the country, and no American diplomat has been killed when they are on the job. So you can’t argue with their efficiency. But since the accusations of manslaughter in September it’s been an ugly fight to justify their methods. You just can’t open up in a crowd, kill 17 people, and expect to keep running the business. Not good COIN ops, you know?
Twisted steel and sex appeal
Ahhh, the Type 214, otherwise known as the German Export version of the Type 212. I saw a 212 in Rota, Spain as Navigator and I can’t lie. That is one sexy submarine. Almost made me wish I was on a diesel for a second.
But only a second.
However, when trying to get the most bang for your buck, the small size is not a deterrent compared to the potential power of an AIP system based on hydrogen fuel cells when you operate a coastal navy.
Consequently, South Korea has just ordered six more of these sexy beasts.
Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) has been contracted to provide South Korea with six additional Type 214 submarines. Announced Jan. 7, the deal has been struck between the South Korean procurement authority and a consortium comprising HDW – part of Hamburg-based ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG – and MarineForce International.
The batch of six conventional submarines will be supplied as packages for assembly by local shipyards. The first of the batch is to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Tenders for the production of the second vessel will be submitted in summer 2009.
You know the Germans always make great stuff!
As these submarines continue to proliferate, the need to re-evaluate ASW tactics will increase. Simply put, I don’t think the current methods (which seem firmly rooted in Cold War ideology) will cut the mustard when used against an impossible to find enemy.
Say what you will about Theater ASW or Full Spectrum ASW… if the fundamental tasking is still “Go Find the Enemy” the fundamental result will be the expenditure of thousands of man-hours and millions of dollars with minimal contact gained.
FMR. President Bush waves goodbye to the Nation.
The peaceful transfer of power. It amazed the world when George Washington gave up the Presidency and to some extent I think it continue to amaze many that we, as Americans, believe that it is simply the way things should be.
Though many were expecting an historic speech from President Obama, and none were disappointed I think, there were some interesting aspects to note. The most of which was the President’s direct statement to the Muslim world and the leaders of those who plot our destruction with the fervor of a Steeler’s fan planning a tailgate.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
I think it is a very telling statement regarding his attitude toward conflict. It seemed to be a topic where he toed the party line during the campaign (that of get out now, any way, any how), but it seems that the gravitas of reality regarding the threats to the country have caused him to re-examine his stance. Like so many promises, the reality of execution will change the tone of the message as the months roll on.
I look forward to the future and wish the President, and all of us, all the best.
Read the full text of the speech here.
When I was at the Army School, I had the fortunate experience to interact with numerous officers from other countries. It was truly an enlightening experience and I always enjoyed getting their perspective of America from the outside.
Once, a British officer told me something interesting about Americans, and it was echoed by others from around the world. He told me how America is incredibly harsh when evaluating itself. It started as a conversation about the exercise we were in, and how the staff group seemed to take forever to put a plan together because it was “never good enough” and could always be improved. But it translated into a discussion about American politics, and how our society is harsher on itself then it is on the rest of the world. It’s a valid point, and it highlights why, when events such as 9/11 happen, there’s a chorus of voices that always rise to pronounce how we somehow brought it on ourselves. Chickens home to roost and all that.
Here is a very interesting essay about a self-described Democrat’s awakening regarding the self-loathing and guilt America tends to throw on itself when other countries or religions become angry with our way of life. It’s a long read, but a good one. I recommend it. (H/T to Chap).
People I knew were generally very quick to blame their own country for the attack, and this notion was spreading fast. The ongoing email campaign didn’t hurt. Under most circumstances, I would have been happy to join in with this idea – there was comfort in it. It was familiar. But for the first time in my life, I felt it was inappropriate, and too easy. I began to realize that I did not really believe in the knee-jerk attitudes I had affected for most of my life, in New York. Like most people, I was too worried about what was yet to come
Thomas Friedman, he of Olive Trees and Lexus’ without steering wheels, has a new book out. The title? Hot, Flat, and Crowded. I’d write a review of it, but you really can’t do any better at it then this.
Friedman frequently uses a rhetorical technique that goes something like this: “I was in Dubai with the general counsel of BP last year, watching 500 Balinese textile workers get on a train, when suddenly I said to myself, ‘We need better headlights for our tri-plane.’” And off he goes.You the reader end up spending so much time wondering what Dubai, BP and all those Balinese workers have to do with the rest of the story that you don’t notice that tri-planes don’t have headlights.And by the time you get all that sorted out, your well-lit tri-plane is flying from chapter to chapter delivering a million geo-green pizzas to a million Noahs on a million Arks. And you give up. There’s so much shit flying around the book’s atmosphere that you don’t notice the only action is Friedman talking to himself.
It’s a fun read, and if, like me, you think the value of Thomas Friedman’s opinion is *slightly* over-inflated and his ideas overly simplistic, you’ll definitely enjoy gems like this:
Thomas Friedman is not a president, a pope, a general on the field of battle or any other kind of man of action. He doesn’t actually do anything apart from talk about shit in a newspaper. So in my mind it’s highly relevant if his manner of speaking is fucked.
(H/T Abu Muquwama)
