Andrew Sullivan's Blog, page 2821

The Madness Of King David Petraeus

A military reader writes:

You say that Petraeus's strategy of COIN is misplaced in Afghanistan because it's missing certain components. I would say that you understate the case. COIN isn't merely the wrong strategy in Afghanistan. It is, in scientific parlance, "not even wrong." It's the sort of wrongness that doesn't even bring you closer to understanding what the right move is. 

As a contrast, Operation Market Garden was the wrong move. It needed more troops, more armor, more logistical...

Hathos Alert

Bristol makes her acting debut:

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The US Public On The Flotilla

An interesting result from the latest WSJ poll:

Q36 As you may know, Israeli troops recently intercepted some ships carrying supplies to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and nine people on board one of the supply ships were killed by Israeli soldiers. Which of the following statements comes closer to your point of view on this situation? If you don't know enough about the situation to have an opinion, just say so. (ROTATE STATEMENTS)

Statement A: Israel was defending its interests in Gaza and...

The Fellowship Of The Vuvuzela

Know hope - Gandalf is on our side:

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The Hawks Win

Reihan suggests that "everyone with an interest in national security policy should keep aclose eye on what happens if and when Defense Secretary Gates retires." Reihan feels that if "Clinton gains influence, it likely means that even with McChrystal himself gone, McChrystalism will be here to stay":

The fact that Clinton was given such a prominent role in the Obamacabinet suggested that the president was interested in vigorous debatewithin his cabinet. So far, despite dissatisfaction from...

Beard Obsession Update

How fat guys can improve their looks; and how hot chicks really like furry faces - and sing about them.
















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"If a guy saves my ass, he sure as hell can look at it."

Ambers examines the attitudes of elite soldiers, including McChrystal, toward openly homosexual comrades.
















Homosexuality - United States - Gay Lesbian and Bisexual - History - Military

The Lie Of The July 2011 Withdrawal

Joe Klein divulges the worst kept secret in Washington:

It seems obvious that Obama is going to have to be less coy with the public about what is really going to happen in July 2011, even if that risks alienating his party's vestigial antiwar base. He is going to have to make it clear that "significant" troop withdrawals — a word bandied about in recent weeks — are not in the cards unless the situation on the ground changes dramatically, for good or ill. And Petraeus is going to have to...

Zucker FAIL

Warming Glow reads the latest ratings for NBC:

In plain English, that means that no matter how you measure it, Jay
Leno is performing worse as the host of "The Tonight Show" than Conan
O'Brien did. And Leno doesn't even have the disadvantage of having Leno
as a lead-in. Although I wouldn't put that idea past NBC.

Meanwhile, Conan the Comedian is enjoying life on the road.

(Image via Laughing Squid)

Tonight Show - Conan O'Brien - Jay Leno - NBC - Jeff Zucker

Americans Like Angry Black President

Surprise!
















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