UFO.

This is coolbert:

UFO U.S. Navy! 2004 and 2015. Nimitz and Roosevelt. Space aliens?

Military observers preferred when paranormal phenomenon encountered? There is a simple explanation for all this?

"Area 51 Veteran And CIA Electronic Warfare Pioneer Weigh In On Navy UFO Encounters"

"Having worked on some of the most highly-classified aerospace programs in the world, all this new UFO talk sounds very familiar to these two men."

Thanks to the The Drive for the article and the History Channel for the video.

Sightings both visual and electronic. From multiple sources simultaneously. Something was being seen. Always the description since the time military aviators spotting unidentified flying objects [UFO] the same. Strange shape and lighting. Able to make impossible aerial maneuvers at incredible speeds way beyond any remote capability of modern warplanes. 

This is all electronic-counter-measures [ECM] of some sort? Sophisticated real-world testing of electronic "spoofing" that does indeed confuse.

The experts know something we do not know? Or is it those damned aliens again?

coolbert.

Porpoise.

This is coolbert:

The brutal Hun?

From the Russian media Internet outlet Sputnik the German military behaving badly?

"German Navy in Hot Water as 18 Endangered Maritime Mammals Found Dead After NATO Baltic Drills"

"The German Defence Ministry has insisted that there is 'no direct link' between de-mining and the porpoise deaths, but that if such a link is found, 'we obviously regret it'."

"A German animal rights organization has pointed the finger at the country’s navy over the deaths of at least 18 endangered marine mammals after the detonation of WWII-era mines during military exercises in the Baltic Sea."

WE NEED TO BE ABSOLUTELY 100 % CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IS OCCURRING. SECOND WORLD WAR NAVAL SEA MINE MUNITIONS BEING DETONATED AS PART OF DE-MINING OPERATIONS. ORDNANCE OF A VERY LETHAL NATURE ACTIVE AND EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS.

Death of endangered sea mammals incidental to the process and regrettable but understandable under the circumstances?

"I merely did as I was ordered to do. I was just a small fry. I did nothing seriously wrong. I helped some when I could. Others did worse. Think of me as a paper pusher and nothing more."

"No direct link." They always say that too, don't they?

coolbert.

Auspices.

This is coolbert:

Found this one in the Strategy Page Professor Al Nofi CIC entry # 3.

The reasoning and logic is impeccable, without question?

"As late as the eighteenth century [1700's], military engineers selecting sites for fortresses were wont to 'consult the auspices' by examining the livers of domestic animals, not for reasons of superstition, but rather because a healthy liver was generally an indication of a healthy site with safe water".

TRADITIONALLY IN WARFARE THE TWO BIGGEST KILLERS HAVE BEEN FEET AND WATER AND NOT MORTAL COMBAT!

A troop having bad feet falling out on the march and being set upon and killed by local civilians, marauders, guerrillas.

Water soldiers not having enough water to drink or drinking bad polluted and diseased water.

Even unto most recent time [The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan] the Red Army suffering 300,000 non-battlefield casualties. I assume hepatitis as a result of drinking contaminated and unsafe water.

What was true in the past is true in the present and always will be. Eternal warfare. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever.

coolbert.

Mini-CV.

This is coolbert:

What was thought to be possible is now shown to be possible.

Experiment! VSTOL F-35B sea control mode. Amphibious Assault Vessel [AAV] U.S. Marine Corps.

V/STOL: A vertical and/or short take-off and landing aircraft.

Success!

Thanks to the item as seen at the Internet web site Strategy Page.

"Naval Air: Mini-CV Works"

"November 22, 2019: The U.S. Navy recently conducted more extensive tests of operating F-35B vertical take-off and landing aircraft from amphibious ships that normally operate helicopters from their flight decks. This test included the navy’s first (of at least three) 45,000 ton LHA amphibious ships. These are the largest amphibs the navy has ever built and can handle up to twenty F-35Bs. For this test the LHA-6 America had 13 F-35Bs on board. Currently, the marines only have 70 of the 340 F-35Bs they will eventually get so obtaining 20 of them for a test was not possible. The two week test at sea was mainly to determine if the LHA and F-35Bs could operate together as a unique type of light aircraft carrier."

Comments:

* VSTOL the main problem during combat operations is limited range of the warplane. VSTOL operation very fuel consumptive. As is noted in the article however these AAV warships uses turbine power and the same fuel as the aircraft, so that is a plus.

* AAV in the sea control mode lacking additional essential organic aircraft as is needed for conventional totally independent and autonomous carrier operations. Essential organic aircraft of the type * Airborne Early Warning [AEW] * Electronic warfare [EW] * Anti-submarine warfare [ASW] * tanker * helicopter for search and rescue of downed friendly aviators.

Depending on who is doing the counting at any given moment the U.S. Navy has a dozen to twenty aircraft carriers. F-35B does make a big difference.

coolbert.

Beyond.

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The paranormal experience with the military dimension!

Described as: "A matter of human record." Or is it?

"The Haunted U-Boat"

From an episode of the made-for-television psychic phenomenon series "One Step Beyond."

"While on patrol [1945] during WWII, a German U-boat [U-147] attempts to evade detection from the sonar of the American and British ships. But their location is repeatedly betrayed by the noise of a rhythmic banging sound caused by someone . . . or something . . . on board the submarine."

How well I remember this television series and this particular episode. I was only twelve years old at the time but it did make an impression. I recommend highly without qualification or reservation.

Now for the rest of the story:

From the Internet web site Uboat.net:  [U-147] "Sunk on 2 June 1941 in the North Atlantic north-west of Ireland, in position 56.38N, 10.24W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Wanderer and the British corvette HMS Periwinkle. 26 dead (all hands lost)."

The television episode "Haunted U-Boat" as set in the year 1945, the very end of the war in Europe. So there you have it. A matter of human record?

coolbert.

Blue Flag.

This is coolbert:

Combined arms NATO aviation! But beyond NATO!

From the Russian Internet web site Russian Times [RT}:

"Israel and NATO penetrate Russia’s S-400 air defenses… ‘simulated’ by US Patriots?"

"Israel, together with the US and some European NATO allies, have wrapped up massive war games, which in part focused on countering advanced air defenses, such as Russia’s S-400, that Washington has been so worried about recently."

"The Israeli Air Force hosted American, German, Italian and Greek fighter jets at its Uvda airbase in the Negev Desert located in southern Israel for nearly two weeks, between November 3 and 14. A total of 800 servicemen and around 100 aircraft took part in the ‘Blue Flag’ drills, including the stealthy F-35 fighter jets, which took part in this exercise for the first time."

INCLUDING THE ISRAELI F-35 ADIR. OBJECT OF BLUE FLAG TO FORMULATE AND PRACTICE SOLUTIONS TO THE AIR DEFENSE PROBLEM AS POSTED BY THE RUSSIAN S-300 AND S-400 MISSILES.

From some comments to the Russian Times Internet web site entry:

* "It appears that JORDANIAN (RJAF) F-16AM and F-16BM (ex-RNLAF) fighter jets have been flying over both Israel and Jordan over the past four days (3-6 Nov) using '#NASHMI' (Arabic for 'fragrance') callsigns."

* "— Gerjon | חריון (@Gerjon_) November 6, 2019
Israeli and NATO pilots honed their skills in penetrating the enemy airspace and countering Russian-made S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft systems, according to IAF press release and the Breaking Defense military blog"

USA PATRIOT MISSILE FIRING BATTERIES THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF RADARS AND MISSILES SIMULATING THE RUSSIAN SURFACE-AIR-MISSILES?

coolbert.

Pony.

This is coolbert:

First we take Berlin, then Seoul and finally Tokyo??

"pony:  pony up Slang - - To pay (money owed or due)."

Fourfold?

"Trump Asks Tokyo to Quadruple Payments for U.S. Troops in Japan"

"The move is part of the administration’s campaign to get U.S. allies to pay more for defense. South Korea is also being asked to pony up."

"As Washington seeks to renew de-nuclearization talks with Pyongyang, U.S. President Donald Trump is asking Japan, a longtime ally that the United States leans on for stability in the region, to pay drastically more to cover the cost of a continued U.S. military presence in that country."

ASKS! ASKS! A STARTING POINT FROM WHICH NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN?

See previous blog entry [with additional embedded link] as relevant:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/11/fivefold.html

coolbert.

Illiterate.

This is coolbert:

"It is not that I don't believe you, it is that I do not want to believe you!"

Please someone tell me this is not so!! From a Jan 11, 2016 blog entry G2mil courtesy the editor Carlton Meyer and as copied and posted more or less in entirety.

"10 Percent of U.S. Army Majors are Illiterate!"

Staff officers of the USA military not able to read and write? ABC's.

"One problem in our military and government is that poorly educated people are promoted to important positions. Some advance because of good looks and a pleasing personality, while others benefit from nepotism, political connections, or racial advancement quotas. I saw many during my time in military and government service. These people never send out e-mails knowing they can't write proper sentences and misspell common words. The spell checker helps, but they confuse their/there, whose/who's, role/roll etc. We all make such mistakes, but patterns become evident, like spelling truck as 'truk' several times in one message. In meetings it becomes apparent that they cannot grasp certain things. I [editor G2mil] found this recent article of interest"

"'Unlike the other armed services, who only send 25 percent or fewer members of each year group to resident staff college, the Army sends almost 50 percent of each year group. This results in functionally illiterate Army majors coming to [Command and General Staff College] CGSC."

"Think I’m exaggerating? Then you need to see the test scores from the Nelson-Denny Reading Exam. The Nelson-Denny, which has been around since 1929, measures the reading and comprehension ability of students. Approximately five percent of incoming U.S. Army students at CGSC each year score so low on the Nelson-Denny that they could fairly be classified as functionally illiterate."

"'Keep in mind that our Army sends its best majors to CGSC as a prerequisite of promotion. So the overall number of illiterate Majors is probably around 10%."

NOT NECESSARILY ILLITERATE AS BEING TOTALLY UNABLE TO READ. FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATE IS A BETTER DESCRIPTION.

And I do indeed hope such is not so.

coolbert.

Fivefold.

This is coolbert:

It is not only the Europeans and NATO that must fear the wrath of President Trump of the USA. Beware the Don.

So must the leadership of the Republic of Korea [ROK]. South Korea. Thanks to American and Asian sources.

"If Trump wins in 2020, he will pull US troops out of South Korea"

"Officials in Seoul laughed at his request for $5 billion to keep army [USA] presence"

"According to a report on July 30 from a South Korean newspaper, Washington has requested that the government in Seoul pay $5 billion next year for the continued presence of its armed forces [USA] on South Korean soil. This would be more than a fivefold increase from 2019, when Seoul paid $879 million."

A threat or a negotiating starting point?

See previous blog entry with emphasis on item # 2 the topic NATO alliance pay your fair share:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/11/annegret.html

coolbert.

Abomination II.

This is coolbert:

Continuing and concluding the topic the desecration of war memorials.

Port Angeles, Washington state, USA also this sort of thing occurs. And even controversy beyond vandalism exists.

MEASURES AS TAKEN TO PREVENT VANDALISM TOO EXTREME FOR SOME?

"WA: Port Angeles Mayor receives Pushback over Attempt to alter War Memorial Image"

"WA: Port Angeles Mayor receives Pushback over Attempt to alter War Memorial. The replica Liberty Bell in the Veterans Memorial Park in Port Angeles,  Washington, was installed as a private initiative in the bicentennial year of 1976. For several years, the replica and the park have been subject to vandalism."

Silhouette images of American Revolutionary War soldiers guarding a replica of the Liberty Bell. The memorial [a private concern] enclosed by a fence. Someone takes exception to this? And the fear or offense  is what exactly?

And alteration is suggested? And what alteration would be acceptable? None I suspect. Again, persons objecting to these sort of monuments and beyond even the mere monument itself terribly troubled persons with grave mental issues. Heavy pharmaceuticals required to manage their awful and overwhelming condition.

coolbert.

Abomination I.

This is coolbert:

Even in Canada this sort of thing occurs. Even there!!

Thanks to Freeper.

"Police arrest man over vandalism at Toronto cenotaph"

"Police have arrested a Toronto man for allegedly vandalizing the Old City Hall cenotaph with spray paint hours after it was the site of a downtown Remembrance Day ceremony."

What is called Veterans Day in the USA is called Remembrance Day in Canada!

"The cenotaph, which honours those who died in both World Wars and the Korean War, was vandalized with dark blue spray-painted letters sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday"

"The words 'ye broke faith' could be seen written in capital letters across the bottom of the monument on Tuesday morning, behind wreaths that had been placed at the base for the previous day's service."

"Ye broke faith". Hard to say within context what that means. Those persons doing such mischief are very misguided and soulless human beings, having enormous mental issues and should be imprisoned with heavy pharmaceuticals applied. Only under such circumstances can this terribly troubled individual manage his awful condition.

See previous blog entries the topic desecration of war memorials:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/11/plovdiv.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/08/desecration.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/11/prank.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/01/outrage-raf.html

coolbert.

Potatoes.

This is coolbert:

Within context of the previous blog entry consider that the Battle of the Little Big Horn [1876] small potatoes in comparison with Frenchtown and St. Clair's Defeat.

"The Battle of the Little Bighorn . . . was an armed engagement between combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army."

Casualties among the American military present at Little Big Horn:

* 268 killed, 55 wounded (6 of whom later died of wounds). Number of U.S. troopers killed at the Little Bighorn in totality, including but not limited to those with G. A. Custer.

Additionally and thanks to a CIC entry by Professor Al Nofi as seen at the Internet web site Strategy Page:

"Little Turtle [American Indian commander with Blue Jacket during the battle know as St. Clair's Defeat] inflicted more casualties on the United States Army than any other Indian war chief. In just two battles, traditionally known as 'Harmer’s Defeat' and 'St. Clair’s Defeat,' he [Little Turtle] slew some 820 American soldiers. In contrast, the best that all the great warrior peoples – the Apache, the Sioux, the Cheyenne, the Nez Perce, and all the rest – west of the Mississippi could do in some 940 fights with the army between 1866 and 1892 was to kill about 920 boys in blue, only about 12-percent more than Little Turtle had accounted for."

My comment:

I might very well suspect that more troops killed during a thirty year [1862-1892] period on the American frontier by a kick to the head from a horse or fell off their horse and broke their neck than killed-in-action during combat with the American Indian.

coolbert.

Frenchtown.

This is coolbert:

Worst American military defeat of the War of 1812.

This was a new one on me. Thanks to the tip from Lee.

1. Battle of Frenchtown.

Decisive engagement, an American military force of about 1,000 Kentucky mounted riflemen their casualties almost 100 %.

"The Battles of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin and the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts in Michigan Territory that took place from January 18–23, 1813, during the War of 1812. It was fought between the United States and a British and Native American alliance near the River Raisin in Frenchtown"

* 410 killed, 94+ wounded, 547 captured.

FRENCHTOWN ONLY POSSIBLY SURPASSED AS AN AMERICAN DEFEAT IN TOTALITY BY "BATTLE OF A THOUSAND SLAIN" FROM THE NORTHWEST INDIAN WAR. ALSO KNOWN AS ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT.

2. St. Clair's defeat.

"St. Clair's defeat, also known as the Battle of the Wabash, the Battle of Wabash River or the Battle of a Thousand Slain, was a battle fought on November 4, 1791, in the Northwest Territory of the United States of America. The U.S. Army faced the Western Confederacy of Native Americans, as part of the Northwest Indian War. It was 'the most decisive defeat in the history of the American military,' and the largest victory ever won by Native Americans"

Again and prior to Frenchtown another American military force of approximately 1,000 troops annihilated almost to the last man. Washer-women as accompanying the troops also counted.

* 632 soldiers killed or captured, 264 soldiers wounded, 24 workers killed, 13 workers wounded, total: 933.

FOR THOSE CAPTURED THE EXECUTION FIRES BURNED FOR TWO DAYS!!

Two-star general St. Clair his force almost totally destroyed. 

Hey, nobody said any of this was going to be easy, did they?

coolbert.

Volatile.

This is coolbert:

From the Sheldon Adelson Internet web site Israel Hayom and the article by Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen.

And in keeping with the tenor of the previous blog entry. Armageddon and conflagration at hand?

"New threats require new defense concepts"

"The accumulation of threats Israel faces and the fact that they can now emerge on multiple fronts simultaneously require both the IDF and the home front to brace for the unexpected."

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi have recently made it clear that addressing the threats Israel faces requires an urgent response. Some castigated them for sparking unnecessary anxiety, and while it is true that none of the current threats are new, they are all directed by Iran, making for a particularly volatile mix."

Threats to include:

* The two-front war. Hezbollah and Hamas.
* Iranian precision-guided cruise missiles and drones.

Devoted followers to the blog go read the entire article for yourself. Expect the unexpected! Always in the long recorded history of warfare.

P.S. Within context see my previous blog entry https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/95.html that amount of firepower the Iranian and Hezbollah has amassed in case of conflict with Israel. And is prepared to use. Not merely a hollow threat.

coolbert.

Destiny.

This is coolbert:

"The recent attack on Saudi oil facilities achieved an astonishing precision of less than one meter [three feet] despite the fact that it was launched from 650 miles away and delivered with it a clear message to Israel. Iran can attack any target in Israel from Western Iraq with precision and without being detected. It proved that Iranian technology is decades ahead of anything offered by Israel, America or the west."

CONFLAGRATION MIDDLE EAST! BLOW YOUR HORN AND THE WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN?

Thanks to several Israeli authors and The Atlantic.

1. "The Coming Middle East Conflagration"

"Israel is bracing itself for war with Iranian proxies, as Tehran escalates its provocations. But what will the United States do if conflict comes?"

"The senior ministers of the Israeli government met twice last week to discuss the possibility of open war with Iran. They were mindful of the Iranian plan for a drone attack from Syria in August, aborted at the last minute by an Israeli air strike, as well as Iran’s need to deflect attention from the mass protests against Hezbollah’s rule in Lebanon. The ministers also reviewed the recent attack by Iranian drones and cruise missiles on two Saudi oil installations, reportedly concluding that a similar assault could be mounted against Israel from Iraq."

2. "Iran, Israel and Destiny"

"Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struggles to form a new government and tries valiantly to stay out of jail but he has managed to find the time to pledge to spend many more shekels. Finally, it dawned on Netanyahu that Israel lags Iran in an arms race. Yesterday, Netanyahu announced that Israel must increase its defense spending by 'many billions immediately and then many billions every year' to counter the threat from Iran that 'has intensified in recent weeks.'”

WE ARE TALKING HERE ONLY CONVENTIONAL MUNITIONS BEING EMPLOYED AND NO ATOMIC WEAPONS. AT LEAST NOT YET!

ARE YOU READY FOR A RUMBLE? APOCALYPTIC VISIONS OF WAR THAT CANNOT BE DENIED?

P.S. Within context see my previous blog entry https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/95.html that amount of firepower the Iranian and Hezbollah has amassed in case of conflict with Israel. And is prepared to use. Not merely a hollow threat.

coolbert.

Negotiate.

This is coolbert:

It is with much trepidation that I make this post. But here goes.

As extracted from: "A Jewish Editorial" a portion of which entitled: "Negotiating with NATO" by Rabbi Dov Fischer and without any commentary on my part.

"NATO is our friend." 

"They also rip off America. They have been ripping us off forever. We saved their butts — before there even was a NATO — in World War I. They messed up, and 116,456 Americans had to die to save their butts. Then they messed up again for the next two decades because West Europeans are effete and so obsessed with their class manners and their rules of savoir faire and their socialist welfare states and their early retirements that they did not have the character to stand up to Hitler in the 1930s. Peace in our time. So they messed up, and we had to save their butts again. And another 405,399 Americans died for them during World War II. And then we had to rebuild them! And we had to station our boys in Germany and all over their blood-stained continent. So, hey, we love those guys. We love NATO. And yet they still rip us off. We pay 4% of our gigantic gross domestic product to protect them, and they will not pay a lousy 2% of their GDP towards their own defense. Is there a culture more penny-pinching-cheap-and-stingy than the fine constituents of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? These cheap baseborn prigs will not pay their fare. They are too cheap. They expect America to send boys to die for them in one world war, then another — hundreds of thousands — and then to pay for their NATO defense even a century later. And then they have the temerity to cheat us further in trade. Long before Trump, they set up tariffs against us for so many things If the average American knew how badly Europe has been ripping us off for decades with their tariffs, no one in this country would buy anything European again. We would say, as a matter of self-respect and personal pride, 'I no longer will buy anything but American, no matter what it costs.'”


"Every American President has complained about the cheating and imbalance — the NATO penny-pinching-cheapness, the tariff and trade imbalances. In more recent years, the various Bushes complained about it. Even Obama complained about it. But they all did it so gently, so diplomatically. They would deliver the sermon, just as the pastor predictably tells the church-goers on Sunday morning that he is against sin, and the Europeans would sit quietly and nod their heads — nodding from sleeping, not from agreeing — and then they would go back out and sin some more. Another four years of America being suckered and snookered. All they had to do was give Obama a Nobel Peace Prize his ninth month in office and let Kerry ride his bike around Paris. So Trump did what any effective negotiator would do: he took note of past approaches to NATO and their failures, and correctly determined that the only way to get these penny-pinching- cheap baseborn prigs to pay their freight would be to bulldoze right into their faces, stare them right in their glazed eyes with cameras rolling, and tell them point-blank the equivalent of: 'You are the cheapest penny-pinching, miserly, stingy, tight wadded skinflints ever. And it is going to stop on my watch. Whatever it takes from my end, you selfish, curmudgeonly cheap prigs, you are going to pay your fair share. I am not being diplomatic. I am being All-Business: either you start to pay or, wow, are you in for some surprises! And you know what you read in the Fake News: I am crazy! I am out of control! So, lemme see. I know: We will go to trade war! How do you like that? Maybe we even will pull all our troops out of Europe. Hmmm. Yeah, maybe. Why not? Sounds good. Well, let’s see.' So Trump stuffed it into their quiche-and-schnitzel ingesting faces. And he convinced them — thanks to America’s Seedier Media who are the real secret to the 'Legend That is Trump' — that he just might be crazy enough to go to trade war and to pull American boys home. They knew that Clinton and Bush x 2 and Kerry and Hillary and Nobel Laureate Obama never would do it. But they also know that Trump just might. And if they think they are going to find comfort and moderating in his new advisers, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, alongside him…. Nuh-uh. So CNN and the Washington Post and all the Seedier Media attacked Trump for days: He is destroying the alliance! He attacks our friends! Baloney. Obama was the one whom the Left Echo Chamber… never called out for attacking our friends — Israel, Britain, so many others — while cozying up to Hugo Chavez, bowing to dictators, and dancing the tango for Raul Castro. Trump is just the opposite: He knows who the friends are, and he wants to maintain and strengthen those friendships. It is no different from a parent telling a 35-year old son: 'I have been supporting you for thirty-five years. I put you through college by signing four years and $100,000 PLUS in Loans. You graduated college fifteen years ago. For fifteen years I have been asking you nicely to look for a job and to start contributing. Instead, you sit home all day playing video games, texting your friends on a smartphone I pay for, and picking little fuzz balls out of your navel. So, look, I love you. You are my flesh and blood. But if you are not employed and earning a paycheck — and contributing to the cost of this household — in six months, we are throwing you out of the house.' That boy is NATO. Trump is Dad. And all of us have been signing for the PLUS Loans."

The editorial opinion piece of Rabbi Dov actually quite longer. I  have only extracted and posted that portion relevant to NATO. Comments of Rabbi Dov quite germane within the context of the previous blog entry and item # 2 as applies to NATO spending.

coolbert.

Annegret.

This is coolbert:

Brain death as meaning no leadership at the top? Devoted readers to the blog will have to decide for themselves. From a variety of sources.

1. "France’s Macron says NATO is experiencing ‘brain death’"

"French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed NATO was undergoing 'brain death,' lamenting a lack of coordination between Europe and the United States and unilateral action in Syria by key member Turkey"

FRENCH TROOP DEPLOYMENTS IN NE SYRIA OF MAJOR CONCERN TO THE FRENCH. ONE NATO PARTNER LEAVES [USA], THE FRENCH LEFT HIGH AND DRY ALSO AT THE MERCY OF ANOTHER NATO PARTNER [TURKEY].

2. "Germany commits to NATO spending goal by 2031 for first time"

"BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will reach a NATO defense spending target by 2031, its defense minister said, missing a 2024 deadline agreed by the allies who are under heavy U.S. pressure to beef up their military budgets."

"Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Germany would spend 2% of its economic output on defense by 2031, belatedly reaching the goal set by NATO leaders at a 2014 summit"

Goal as I understand the meaning of the word something to be worked toward but not an absolute MUST achieve. So we wait with bated breath as they say. 2031 here we come.

coolbert.

Base.

This is coolbert:

"The plan is the base from which all change is made."

How many times do I have to say it?

Northeast Syria a dynamic situation necessitating a dynamic change.

From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter:

1. "US races Russia for military positions in NE Syria, including new air bases"

6 November.

"A large influx of US troops is entering northeastern Syria this month as new Russian plans keep pace. The Trump administration was widely condemned for abandoning the US allied Kurds, the core of the Syrian Democratic Forces which defeated ISIS and opening the door for Iran to surge across the Iraqi-Syrian border. However, a DEBKAfile investigation uncovers a totally different reality. While US contingents were indeed withdrawn from their Syrian bases to Iraq, US troop replacements have been pouring in and continue to arrive in northeastern Syria. While retaining existing bases, new positions are being set up, including two or more new US air bases, and taking over Syria’s oil and gas fields."

2. "Russian lawmaker: US to build two military bases near Syrian oilfields"

6 November.

"Senior Russian lawmaker accuses the US of planning to build two military bases near Syria’s oilfield, a violation of its sovereignty, in an attempt to recoup the costs of US military operations in the country. The charge was leveled by Konstantin Kosachev, a member of Russia’s upper house of parliament and chairman of the foreign affairs [committee]."

Comment:

IN MY ESTIMATION THE "SEIZURE" OF THE OILFIELDS THOSE INSTALLATIONS NOT FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF THE USA BUT TO BE USED AS BARGAINING CHIPS IF AND WHEN NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN ASSAD AND THE SDF/YPG BEGIN. AN AMICABLE SOLUTION ARRIVED AT IN AN AMICABLE MANNER.

See my previous blog entry from over a year ago the withdrawal of American military force from NE Syria as was described at the time to be planned, phased, gradual and with consideration given to modification as the situation might warrant.

coolbert.

Abominable.

This is coolbert:

Nine-dash line! Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea again the source of controversy. Here we go again.

The moment I saw this as reported on television I knew this was good material for a blog entry.

"Abominable: anger grows over controversial map in Chinese children's film"

"Three countries object to animated movie scene showing Chinese territorial claims in South China Sea"

"The film 'Abominable' has sparked tensions in the region over a map that shows China’s nine-dash line"

AN ANIMATED FILM FOR CHILDREN AND SUCH A FUSS? THIS IS WHAT MAKES FOR INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE.

See previous blog entries as germane:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/03/india-pakistan.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2012/11/stamps-maps.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/06/insets.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2012/11/passport.html

"All men are brothers, like the seas throughout the world; So why do winds and waves clash so fiercely everywhere?" - - Hirohito.

Seas to include the South China Sea? It is just an animated movie for children, isn't it?

coolbert.

Burn.

This is coolbert:

The future is now? At least to an extent! 6th generation jet fighter! 

Thanks to the tip from Jay:

"F-35 stealth fighter jets on fast track to receive laser-based offensive and defensive capabilities"

"The Air Force Research Lab and Office of Naval Research are currently developing fast and precise laser weapons that can 'burn holes' through enemy targets at the speed of light. Concurrently, the U.S. Navy is developing a laser-application for its Marine Corps F-35B, intended to effectively maintain the stealth fighter for future decades of war"

See previous blog entries the subject the Sixth Generation fighter plane and directed energy weaponry:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/07/dew.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/sixth-i.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/07/growth.html

coolbert.

NES II.

This is coolbert:

NES = Northeast Syria.

Conclusion!

From the blog of the acerbic and iconoclastic Carlton Meyer his comments regarding the American withdrawal from Syria and the alleged abandonment of the Syrian Kurd YPG.

"Oct 14, 2019 - The Results of Stupidity in Syria"

"The fake news about Syria in the American media is based on three lies."

* "First, the Kurds [YPG] are not American allies."

* "Second, the fleeing Kurdish terrorist army [YPG] will not leave a gap that ISIS will fill".

* "Third, Trump didn’t green light anything."

Devoted readers to the blog need to read the whole entry for themselves.

AND WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON AN ASPECT OF LIE # 3 AS IDENTIFIED BY CARLTON MEYER!

* "The Turks have more air power in the region and resistance was futile."

See prior blog entries. Turkish air force their combat capability severely diminished in the aftermath of the 2016 purge. Front-line combat aviators, staff and command personnel all gone. Personnel crucial and now the ranks of such persons decimated.

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/03/f-16-turkey.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/05/purge.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2018/06/doomed.html

coolbert.

NES I.

This is coolbert:

NES = Northeast Syria.

Appreciations and scenarios as to how the endgame may play out. Syria, Kurds, Turk, Russian.

Thanks to the Russian Internet media outlet Sputnik.

"Three Scenarios of How Kurds, Turkey and Damascus Could Solve Northeast Syria Crisis"

"According to various reports, Kurdish forces have been withdrawing from the 120-kilometre (75 miles) wide and 30-kilometre (20 miles) deep Turkey-proposed 'safe zone' in north-eastern Syria. However, the situation on the ground is changing rapidly, international observers say, describing scenarios of further developments in the region."

APPRECIATIONS AND SCENARIO AS SUGGEST BY EXPERTS THE DEVOTED READER TO THE BLOG WILL HAVE TO READ FOR THEMSELVES.

"The plan is the base from which all change is made." "War is too important to be left to the generals." "War is politics by other means." Etc.

coolbert.

Caleb.

This is coolbert:

Lots of red here. Alarmist? I guess time will tell. Better safe than sorry too.

From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile news letter the threat of Iranian precision missiles and drones not denied.

WE BE NOT ABLE?

1. "US Mid-East forces relocate out of Iranian cruise missile range. The IDF begins overhaul"

 29 October.

"The US like Israel has no adequate answer for Iran’s cruise missile and drones . . . Tehran is deploying those missiles against Israel in Yemen, as well as Iraq, Syria and Lebanon . . . This alarming gap in US and Israeli defenses shot into sight in Iran’s Sept. 14, attack on Saudi oil infrastructure. Those cruise missiles were not only undetected but proved an unknown precision guidance capacity of 5-10 m. [fifteen to thirty feet] . . . The Pentagon is moving sensitive elements out of range"

Sensitive elements as listed to include the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and CENTCOM air force and intelligence command posts 

WE BE ABLE?

 2. "Israel’s Air Force chief: Our air defenses ready for Iranian cruise missiles, drones" 

 31 October.

 "Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Nurkin made his first public comment on Wednesday about the danger of Iranian cruise missiles and exploding drones. Addressing graduates of the course on anti-air defense systems, Nurkin said: The Arrow, Yahlom, David’s Sling and Iron Dome batteries are on high alert. 'Our defense challenges have grown in complexity in the face of the boosting of Iran’s rockets by the addition of attack drones and cruise missiles.'”

"'We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.' 'The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there were of great size. We saw the Nephilim there . . . We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.'" — Numbers, 13:31-33.

As it was over three thousand years ago as it is now? The moral as to the physical is three to one?

coolbert.