Michael C. Davies
@blobodelendaest.bsky.social
PhD Candidate in Defence Studies, KCL. Strategic Victory in theory and practice. Lessons from Wars of 9/11.
Purveyor of Mission Accomplished banners
Purveyor of Mission Accomplished banners
Yup. There’s multiple ideas bouncing around. But technocrats are usually the worst to do it, or at least, they’re only good for very specific things that require no external knowledge or understanding of the place being reconstructed.
December 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Yup. There’s multiple ideas bouncing around. But technocrats are usually the worst to do it, or at least, they’re only good for very specific things that require no external knowledge or understanding of the place being reconstructed.
I will again assert that this is a key reason why we need a separate post-conflict Service/Corps that expands and contracts external to Combat Arms forces recruitment; why we need war taxes for every war; and why effective Congressional oversight is so important.
December 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I will again assert that this is a key reason why we need a separate post-conflict Service/Corps that expands and contracts external to Combat Arms forces recruitment; why we need war taxes for every war; and why effective Congressional oversight is so important.
It’s also what happens when you keep losing wars, don’t reform to fix those problems, and tell everyone everything is fine and as it should be.
A dolchstoss that puts war crimes at its core exists precisely because no alternative was provided that deals with the reasons why the US keeps losing wars
A dolchstoss that puts war crimes at its core exists precisely because no alternative was provided that deals with the reasons why the US keeps losing wars
December 8, 2025 at 2:40 AM
It’s also what happens when you keep losing wars, don’t reform to fix those problems, and tell everyone everything is fine and as it should be.
A dolchstoss that puts war crimes at its core exists precisely because no alternative was provided that deals with the reasons why the US keeps losing wars
A dolchstoss that puts war crimes at its core exists precisely because no alternative was provided that deals with the reasons why the US keeps losing wars
Especially if it had been timed with the Wagner rebellion.
December 8, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Especially if it had been timed with the Wagner rebellion.
They were counting on the Russians just folding with (relatively) minimal effort.
The US mirror-imaged Russia’s own beliefs about Ukraine onto them.
It’s also why Ukraine did the Kursk op. If they’d done that in early 2023, with all those fresh troops, the war would probably been long over.
The US mirror-imaged Russia’s own beliefs about Ukraine onto them.
It’s also why Ukraine did the Kursk op. If they’d done that in early 2023, with all those fresh troops, the war would probably been long over.
December 8, 2025 at 1:33 AM
They were counting on the Russians just folding with (relatively) minimal effort.
The US mirror-imaged Russia’s own beliefs about Ukraine onto them.
It’s also why Ukraine did the Kursk op. If they’d done that in early 2023, with all those fresh troops, the war would probably been long over.
The US mirror-imaged Russia’s own beliefs about Ukraine onto them.
It’s also why Ukraine did the Kursk op. If they’d done that in early 2023, with all those fresh troops, the war would probably been long over.
I wish I could say that its incredible that a dolchstoss from 1959 is the animating focus of an Administration in 2025.
But they keep proving it over and over again. They cannot stand the fact they got defeated by people who they consider sub-human to them.
But they keep proving it over and over again. They cannot stand the fact they got defeated by people who they consider sub-human to them.
December 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I wish I could say that its incredible that a dolchstoss from 1959 is the animating focus of an Administration in 2025.
But they keep proving it over and over again. They cannot stand the fact they got defeated by people who they consider sub-human to them.
But they keep proving it over and over again. They cannot stand the fact they got defeated by people who they consider sub-human to them.
Nah. The right will fill it with Nazis. So all its time will be spent arguing over age of consent, pro-slavery, and police brutality amendments.
Playing brutal power politics with red states, forcing through electoral system changes first, then using those outcomes to push the rest works the best.
Playing brutal power politics with red states, forcing through electoral system changes first, then using those outcomes to push the rest works the best.
December 7, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Nah. The right will fill it with Nazis. So all its time will be spent arguing over age of consent, pro-slavery, and police brutality amendments.
Playing brutal power politics with red states, forcing through electoral system changes first, then using those outcomes to push the rest works the best.
Playing brutal power politics with red states, forcing through electoral system changes first, then using those outcomes to push the rest works the best.
10,000,000% correct.
And I wish they were already written, ready to be voted on in Congress, and that States have federal funding limited/cut off and targeted tax cuts nullified until they're ratified.
And I wish they were already written, ready to be voted on in Congress, and that States have federal funding limited/cut off and targeted tax cuts nullified until they're ratified.
December 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
10,000,000% correct.
And I wish they were already written, ready to be voted on in Congress, and that States have federal funding limited/cut off and targeted tax cuts nullified until they're ratified.
And I wish they were already written, ready to be voted on in Congress, and that States have federal funding limited/cut off and targeted tax cuts nullified until they're ratified.
With a few Constitutional Amendments to back it all up.
December 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
With a few Constitutional Amendments to back it all up.
Edit: “If the US and SEA…”
My kingdom for an edit button!
My kingdom for an edit button!
December 7, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Edit: “If the US and SEA…”
My kingdom for an edit button!
My kingdom for an edit button!
Yes. All war games about this scenario are coming to the same conclusions, the the IS and SEA mobilise and get there quickly enough, the allies have a strong chance of winning, but it will be brutal. In most other scenarios, China wins, often by default. And trump will likely sell Taiwan for a Nobel
December 7, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Yes. All war games about this scenario are coming to the same conclusions, the the IS and SEA mobilise and get there quickly enough, the allies have a strong chance of winning, but it will be brutal. In most other scenarios, China wins, often by default. And trump will likely sell Taiwan for a Nobel
This is something that needs to end by fiat with consequences for any one who disobeys.
December 6, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This is something that needs to end by fiat with consequences for any one who disobeys.
For a Taiwan-China war, there are different variables that’ll define it. If Taiwan fights to the death, it’ll be like Okinawa in WW2; if Taiwan fights until the military is defeated it’ll be like Japan taking the Philippines in WW2; if they surrender after minimal combat at sea, the Russo-Japan war.
December 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
For a Taiwan-China war, there are different variables that’ll define it. If Taiwan fights to the death, it’ll be like Okinawa in WW2; if Taiwan fights until the military is defeated it’ll be like Japan taking the Philippines in WW2; if they surrender after minimal combat at sea, the Russo-Japan war.
Glad I’m not the only one who thought that../
December 6, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Glad I’m not the only one who thought that../
I gift you this meme as well for when you need it in the future.
December 6, 2025 at 1:23 AM
I gift you this meme as well for when you need it in the future.
Don't forget attaching 'strategic' to every concept as well--'strategic bombing', etc.
But yes, we do need an moratorium on the use of 'strategy' generally.
But yes, we do need an moratorium on the use of 'strategy' generally.
December 6, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Don't forget attaching 'strategic' to every concept as well--'strategic bombing', etc.
But yes, we do need an moratorium on the use of 'strategy' generally.
But yes, we do need an moratorium on the use of 'strategy' generally.
"Successfully protecting our Hemisphere also requires closer collaboration between the [USG] and the American private sector. All our embassies must be aware of major business opportunities in their country, especially major government contracts."
For the corporations, by the corporations....
For the corporations, by the corporations....
December 5, 2025 at 6:20 AM
"Successfully protecting our Hemisphere also requires closer collaboration between the [USG] and the American private sector. All our embassies must be aware of major business opportunities in their country, especially major government contracts."
For the corporations, by the corporations....
For the corporations, by the corporations....
Well, its official. The 'Race War' side won the debate inside the Administration.
December 5, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Well, its official. The 'Race War' side won the debate inside the Administration.
It is a total minefield, but it can be navigated.
Moreover, if you’re in a bad space because bad things keep happening to you, which is why you’re looking for help, especially cheap help, your intellectual space is more constrained.
It’s why early intervention is vital to stop any slide downward
Moreover, if you’re in a bad space because bad things keep happening to you, which is why you’re looking for help, especially cheap help, your intellectual space is more constrained.
It’s why early intervention is vital to stop any slide downward
December 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
It is a total minefield, but it can be navigated.
Moreover, if you’re in a bad space because bad things keep happening to you, which is why you’re looking for help, especially cheap help, your intellectual space is more constrained.
It’s why early intervention is vital to stop any slide downward
Moreover, if you’re in a bad space because bad things keep happening to you, which is why you’re looking for help, especially cheap help, your intellectual space is more constrained.
It’s why early intervention is vital to stop any slide downward
You will find valuable advice for men on the internet, provided your algorithm isn’t cooked.
Also, when you don’t know bad from good, you’ll often just listen to the first thing that gives you some valued answers, and that’ll mess with your views from there.
Also, when you don’t know bad from good, you’ll often just listen to the first thing that gives you some valued answers, and that’ll mess with your views from there.
December 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
You will find valuable advice for men on the internet, provided your algorithm isn’t cooked.
Also, when you don’t know bad from good, you’ll often just listen to the first thing that gives you some valued answers, and that’ll mess with your views from there.
Also, when you don’t know bad from good, you’ll often just listen to the first thing that gives you some valued answers, and that’ll mess with your views from there.
Sorry, but much like SIGAR's final report released yesterday, this is a little more than problem admiration.
The best he offers is 'slow down rotations and training'.
That ain't even close to the key innumerable causes of the problem he's barely identified yet hinting at.
Alt-Blobish nonsense.
The best he offers is 'slow down rotations and training'.
That ain't even close to the key innumerable causes of the problem he's barely identified yet hinting at.
Alt-Blobish nonsense.
December 4, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Sorry, but much like SIGAR's final report released yesterday, this is a little more than problem admiration.
The best he offers is 'slow down rotations and training'.
That ain't even close to the key innumerable causes of the problem he's barely identified yet hinting at.
Alt-Blobish nonsense.
The best he offers is 'slow down rotations and training'.
That ain't even close to the key innumerable causes of the problem he's barely identified yet hinting at.
Alt-Blobish nonsense.
Yes. If the GO corps wants to walk away from this moment as clean as it can, they have to start demanding they be fired publicly, preferably with an Congressional and military investigation that comes with it.
At least we might get another Tom Ricks book out of it.
At least we might get another Tom Ricks book out of it.
December 4, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Yes. If the GO corps wants to walk away from this moment as clean as it can, they have to start demanding they be fired publicly, preferably with an Congressional and military investigation that comes with it.
At least we might get another Tom Ricks book out of it.
At least we might get another Tom Ricks book out of it.
Time to start watching Seaquest for ideas...
December 4, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Time to start watching Seaquest for ideas...
All of which went against stated policy goals.
I totally agree the Pentagon didn't plan for the 'Day After'. That's why it was defeated.
Just because one side sucks at war doesn't mean they aren't coded as the loser.
I totally agree the Pentagon didn't plan for the 'Day After'. That's why it was defeated.
Just because one side sucks at war doesn't mean they aren't coded as the loser.
December 3, 2025 at 4:33 AM
All of which went against stated policy goals.
I totally agree the Pentagon didn't plan for the 'Day After'. That's why it was defeated.
Just because one side sucks at war doesn't mean they aren't coded as the loser.
I totally agree the Pentagon didn't plan for the 'Day After'. That's why it was defeated.
Just because one side sucks at war doesn't mean they aren't coded as the loser.
Nope. Wrong.
Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ended on December 15, 2011. Meaning the invasion cannot be considered separate. Its one big war.
And the US skipped out of town under the cover of darkness leaving behind an Iraq dominated by other states and groups all with their own militias.
Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ended on December 15, 2011. Meaning the invasion cannot be considered separate. Its one big war.
And the US skipped out of town under the cover of darkness leaving behind an Iraq dominated by other states and groups all with their own militias.
December 3, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Nope. Wrong.
Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ended on December 15, 2011. Meaning the invasion cannot be considered separate. Its one big war.
And the US skipped out of town under the cover of darkness leaving behind an Iraq dominated by other states and groups all with their own militias.
Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ended on December 15, 2011. Meaning the invasion cannot be considered separate. Its one big war.
And the US skipped out of town under the cover of darkness leaving behind an Iraq dominated by other states and groups all with their own militias.