nanfeng oranges

About a week ago I finished Thomas Ricks’ ‘The Gamble’. A couple days ago I watched Oliver Stone’s ‘W.’. Both are about George Bush. But one is way better than the other one.

Thomas Ricks’ book is almost impenetrable for someone not well versed in the United States military establishment. He does manage to squeeze a coherent narrative out of a complex, evolving situation with lots of players and lots of perspectives. The story, as he tells it goes something like this:

A few years after the invasion of Iraq some retired generals are sitting around watching CSPAN and are absolutely horrified at how horrible the Rumsfeld crew is handling the situation. Against all odds, they get the ear of the President and convince him to adopt a new strategy in Iraq. The new strategy isn’t only about more troops. It’s about getting the troops closer to the people and making Iraqis stop hating Americans.

David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno get the job done, along with their outsider advisors (David Kilkullen, Emma Sky, Sadi Othman). It’s tough going at first and, whilst political battles burn in Washington, Iraq isn’t a bed of roses. With more resources and less lofty goals, the strategy ultimately prevails.

But, in the end what’s been accomplished? Sure Iraq is more stable, but a stable, effective government has failed to emerge. I guess we’ll have to wait for Ricks’ third book for the cliffhanger conclusion.

Now, Oliver Stone’s ‘W.’ Bush is an idiot with a lot of idiots around him.

I was really surprised that Roger Ebert gave ‘W.’ a very positive review. But, he’s in the minority. Most people agree with me. The movie was a let down.

At the very least, W. wasn’t a conventional movie. In that respect, it’s worth watching. But I really wished it was more worth watching.

James Cameron imagines a world where, despite technological gains, man has learned little about how to execute successful counter-insurgency (COIN) operations.

Spoilers ahead!!!

On Tatooine, the military and civilian leadership lives on fortified bases completely isolated from the Wookies. (I’m just going to use Star Wars terminology because I don’t know all the names of the places and people from the movie. It should be pretty easy to figure out.)

In one hundred fifty years, have we learned nothing from the French in Algiers, the Russians in Afghanistan, or even more recently the Americans in Iraq. A strategy dependent on big weapons being fired from far away is bound to only drive more fighters to the insurgents’ side. Moreover, Death Star culture only reinforces counterproductive beliefs and attitudes.

Maybe Darth Vader should have spent more time reading Clausewitz and less time playing with his light saber.

Because of mistakes made by leadership, Luke Skywalker has an easy time rallying the locals to unite against the aggressors. Unlike Baghdad, the appears to be absolutely no sectarian infighting between different Wookie tribes.

The rest is history. Luke and Princess Leia mate for life. The Wookies escort the Vader’s off the planet. And the force remains undisturbed.