tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post3475053727883875972..comments2024-02-06T08:33:52.695+02:00Comments on Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog: THE LOST ART OF INTELLIGENCE TRADECRAFTEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-72633243778081404712009-02-16T05:47:00.000+02:002009-02-16T05:47:00.000+02:00As usual, you raise some good points, Jared. For y...As usual, you raise some good points, Jared. For years African politics have seemingly been power-driven and not policy-driven. As long as that remains the case, Africa will remain in turmoil. <BR/><BR/>It is a fact that the more educated and developed a nation, the lower the national birth-rate and the higher the standard of living. As long as the overall aim of African governments is to improve their learning institutions, things have a chance of succeeding. It is when the very neglect of education exists that manipulation becomes easier for any outside party. <BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-8530425697070564782009-02-15T21:47:00.000+02:002009-02-15T21:47:00.000+02:00Hi Eeben,I wonder what would have befell the East ...Hi Eeben,<BR/><BR/>I wonder what would have befell the East if China had not been as independent from western instruction? They've been through this before, and importantly, were a continent with global historical context. They once did what the West is now doing.<BR/><BR/>I have no doubt that Africa can one day make it free of the oppression and calamity of resource-driven goals and objectives. We would hope in a truly global context, the phrase "uppity africans" would not be spoke with any seriousness, but racism and class warfare are important elements in the struggle to participate in economic stability.<BR/><BR/>Where are the African think tanks? Who are they are persuading? What are they saying? Policy matters, but much less so when your neighbor has short-term goals that seek to destabilize others around it. But it still matters.<BR/><BR/>As an example, a woman who has many children may have many children since she is not sure which, or if any, will survive. This is a very complex subject, but when it comes down to brass tacks, this is a strategy that makes a lot of sense. It is also one that is very simply not the case in developed countries. Some countries (Italy, Sweden, Japan) have very low birthrates, because the likelihood their children will die of disease, drugs or war are very low. How many places in Africa can that be said to be true?<BR/><BR/>US and other foreign policies may be part of the problem, and that is truly the case without a doubt, but in the end Africa is at war with itself. Just as all Muslims are not terrorists, the greater body of Africa must put itself on a self-assured path, and then stick with that plan, no matter what.<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, the wars will continue, and Africa will always be susceptible to the whims (and tradecraft) of others.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!<BR/>Jareduserdudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09118041149975533888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-14253919204827777862009-02-15T18:55:00.000+02:002009-02-15T18:55:00.000+02:00Even us who live here, Black and White, do not alw...Even us who live here, Black and White, do not always understand the intricacies of Africa, Jared, so you are not alone. But, Africa is one of those continents that can wriggle deep into one’s blood and when that happens, you cannot leave. Either you love it or hate it. I just happen to love it and hope to never have to leave. But, I also hope that Africa will one day find some peace.<BR/><BR/>Again, you are correct: Africa needs leadership and education to propel itself forward. If those important elements are instilled, many in the continent would be willing to work together. It is also leadership and education that will lead to good governance and ultimately the upliftment of the continent and its people. But, as long as Africa is at war with itself, that becomes a dream and the people, our most important resource, suffer. <BR/><BR/>The Economist has made some valid observations about Africa. There is of late, in several countries, a definite move to find a model that will allow sustainable development. But, where countries have looked towards the East, this has created some concern in the West. So a new cycle of “sabotage” sets in and conflicts become East vs West driven. We saw this in the DRC recently. This in turn leads to conflicts spilling-over into neighbouring countries and new refugee problems as well as new conflicts are born. <BR/><BR/>I hope that Africa will one day realise the value of its people. But, again I am hopeful that that “one day” will come soon.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-85323600857626479372009-02-15T18:16:00.000+02:002009-02-15T18:16:00.000+02:00Hi Eeben,Of course, I don't live there and cannot ...Hi Eeben,<BR/><BR/>Of course, I don't live there and cannot pretend to understand all of the intricacies of the situation, especially as it is such a large place.<BR/><BR/>Irrespective of that, I have always had an affinity for Africa. It is a place that seems alive in ways that differentiate it from anything else to be found. One day, I hope to visit and see it for myself.<BR/><BR/>One thing that I always tell other people who live here in the US is that we live closer to the jungle than we think. The narco wars that are engulfing Mexico are a perfect example. The only thing that is different is the civilization's response.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if you read The Economist, but their Africa reports show a trend in development towards a model that is more self-sustaining. The trick to development is to make it worth the trading partner's while to maintain civilization. In other words, sustainability as a resource. Resource extraction does not need the locals to be capable and trustworthy and able to work together; manufacturing and industrialization does. The "resource curse" is the fact that a place's human capacity is not the most valued objective. The greedy hands of those leaders who have gained perimeter access to that resource only reinforces and perpetuates this cycle of violence, in my mind.<BR/><BR/>To overcome the resource curse takes leadership and scholarship, top to bottom. Maybe blackmail is the trump card, but I sincerely hope that Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia is sincere and capable of following through on reforms that will encourage long-term development patterns. She must make it at least somewhat as profitable to invest in her countries services (manufacturing, extraction, etc...) as it is to take the resources by violence or subterfuge. The security to follow through is going to be her greatest challenge.<BR/><BR/>Africa is a place of great resource. Why are the people themselves not seen as a resource? This must change.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!<BR/>Jareduserdudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09118041149975533888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-36645730159154216222009-02-15T17:42:00.000+02:002009-02-15T17:42:00.000+02:00Insofar as a government under siege is concerned, ...Insofar as a government under siege is concerned, they DO – in my experience - address those issues, Jared. And these things are done to hopefully put an end to the conflict that government might be engaged in. But, in my experience, the African governments are so comprehensively under a blanket of political and economical blackmail that they eventually have to bow before pressure. <BR/><BR/>Yes, you are very correct – Africa has many problems, I will never deny that. Again, many of these problems are exploited by outside interests to ferment conflict in order to keep the wars going. This in turn has allowed the UN and the accompanying NGOs to create their own niches. Looking at the situation harshly, the UN has never made much of a difference as it is not impartial, it has no sense of direction and some of its “peacekeeping personnel” are deeply involved in illegal activities – as was recently exposed. <BR/><BR/>To us who live here, it is not always pleasant to witness what is happening. However, I believe that the majority of us want Africa to come to peace with itself and become the continent it ought to be. <BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-64661476525105896362009-02-15T16:43:00.000+02:002009-02-15T16:43:00.000+02:00Hello Eeben,I think the interesting corollary to t...Hello Eeben,<BR/><BR/>I think the interesting corollary to the cost/time/risk equation is that it does not specifically address purpose; to what purpose are these things being done?<BR/><BR/>Who accounts for the cost, time and resource? I think Africa's problem (as a generalization) is that it cannot get out from under it's cost/time/risk being addressed (or dictated) by external entities (nay, the west and far east). So many Africans hate other Africans, that it almost feels hopeless from where I'm at (in the US).<BR/><BR/>So until the purpose for addressing the cost/time/risk equation is competently and consistently addressed specifically for the good of the African people, and not left to a function of aid/donations, then I'm afraid Africa does not have a chance. Africa needs good leaders, but it also needs to stop fighting and hating itself.<BR/><BR/>You are right, though; there is always someone with their own motivations who is willing to encourage the lunacy of self destruction.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!<BR/>Jareduserdudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09118041149975533888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-50207072941640069662009-02-15T07:27:00.000+02:002009-02-15T07:27:00.000+02:00I never expected everyone to agree with me, Userdu...I never expected everyone to agree with me, Userdude, as my perceptions are shaped by where I have been and what I have seen and done. But as long as we can debate things in a healthy atmosphere, I am open to accepting the views of others. <BR/><BR/>You make a good point with your comment “if you artificially compress, inflate or gerrymander one component, the others will thus become distorted and provide wildly divergent outputs, in the end preventing or obscuring useful decision making”. If one looks as how some plans are formulated and how they eventually fail, I am sure a closer analysis will reveal exactly this.<BR/><BR/>Yes, Africa is its own worst enemy – but it has also been forced into that position by poor leadership, political and economical blackmail and exploitation. I hope that one day this continent will come to its senses and be what it ought to be.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-13848071317121896552009-02-14T23:52:00.000+02:002009-02-14T23:52:00.000+02:00Hello Mr. Barlow,Thanks for the great blog. I don'...Hello Mr. Barlow,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great blog. I don't agree with everything, but you seem very candid, which is enough.<BR/><BR/>I just have some general comments.<BR/><BR/>There was a guy at the University of California, Riverside who authored a paper on the Shuttle Columbia disaster in which he said, essentially, there are three critical components of capability: Cost, time and risk.<BR/><BR/>Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programs exist primarily to beat this theory into students heads.<BR/><BR/>The result contained within the paper was that NASA threw an extreme amount of resource and bureaucracy at the first two components (cost, time), while never addressing/minimizing the last, since the cost component bought "intelligence" (in staffing PhD's, for instance) and the timeline were a result of political expediency.<BR/><BR/>Cost, time and risk: How much will it cost, how long will it take, and can we do it?<BR/><BR/>It is my belief that federal, first-world governments that do not explicitly address the risk component face mission creep or abject, long-term failure.<BR/><BR/>However, election cycles are almost always short-term.<BR/><BR/>Hence, risk opportunity is either compressed ("This will not get me reelected"), or downside risk is overemphasized (overconfidence in capability).<BR/><BR/>The reason for this is that if you artificially compress, inflate or gerrymander one component, the others will thus become distorted and provide wildly divergent outputs, in the end preventing or obscuring useful decision making.<BR/><BR/>This breeds a "throw money at it" mentality, whereby risk is addressed by strident, technocratic overconfidence or abject political avoidance. <BR/><BR/>In this continuum, timeline is a result, not a function, of political necessity.<BR/><BR/>Africa is its own worst enemy. The role that America plays is thus an organ of the diseased, not the disease. Like you say, only Africa can help itself; in the end, it's constituents must understand America (and the West) and what motivates and manipulates it, as much as it is the other way 'round.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!<BR/>Jareduserdudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09118041149975533888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-66719114452644056472008-12-18T06:36:00.000+02:002008-12-18T06:36:00.000+02:00You are quite correct in some of your points, ER. ...You are quite correct in some of your points, ER. If one looks at politics coldly, it is all about power. With power comes money, influence, recognition and so on. But, once in a political system, it can be manipulated to one’s advantage – or to the advantage of one’s friends.<BR/><BR/>I wasn’t trying to pontificate my way away from your points. However, as I cannot really comment on US politics – except with a jaundiced eye view US foreign policy – I didn’t see myself as qualified to give a decent comment on your input. <BR/><BR/>What I see as a major factor in politics in Africa vs the West: In Africa, politics drives the economies as opposed to in the West where the economy drives the politics. Ultimately though, both are aimed at achieving power. If one considers issues such as grand strategy, strategy and the like, foreign policies are all aimed at expanding that influence because with influence comes the opportunity to exploit matters considered to be of national interest. The collateral damage that these policies inflict cause casualties in other countries.<BR/>These casualties are aimed at wearing down resistance, thus making it easier to exert more power and thus achieve more financial benefit. <BR/><BR/>Your comment “In order to gain power you need money, holding on to power, more money. leaving power, lots more money, because without power money will be harder to come by” is absolutely correct. It is a characteristic of all political systems. In exercising that power, a politician has to do some things to make the voters reasonably happy so that they think he/she is concerned with their welfare. When voters are unhappy, they vote for change.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-87823956602998643892008-12-18T06:02:00.000+02:002008-12-18T06:02:00.000+02:00Hey Eeben,I think you and Maurice are pontificatin...Hey Eeben,<BR/>I think you and Maurice are pontificating the art of history making to the point of missing my point. <BR/>From a perspective of looking at the policies of the US here is what I see. Our government service is not really a high paying career. The GS pay ratings have nothing to do with becoming wealthy. <BR/>HIstory has so little to do with opportunities in todays foreign policy decision making. Our being "USA" strategic and financial interests, lets assume that they are the same, are what drives our decision making process. I see no other real reason for decision to be made other than for these reasons. HIstory is nothing more than a mistake or accomplishment from someone in the past. The person in the present is doing his job to further the interests of his country. These interests are put forth by the State Department, Congressional Committee? As a government we really do not run a business like a factory or industrial complex. We consume their wears but don't do the work. So in the interest of the businesses that make our county work, we implement foreign policy that fits theirs needs. <BR/>As a government employee one might tend to favor acquaintances with representatives of such interests.<BR/>Power has a way of doing things to good men and women. As humans we have inherent tendencies to venture in the wrong direction, alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, many become addicted with no other reason than the availability of the vices. <BR/>In order to gain power you need money, holding on to power, more money. leaving power, lots more money, because without power money will be harder to come by. <BR/>Greed trumps history. <BR/>Not everyone succumbs to this, an example is a person who may have received his money the old fashioned way by inheriting it. He may just tent to ingratiate his friends since he is already set.<BR/>Donald Rumsfeld was said to be one of the wealthiest men in Washington, Dick Cheney, CEO Haliburton. you can answer that one.E Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03495376115561772752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-74943607591529176182008-12-16T10:42:00.000+02:002008-12-16T10:42:00.000+02:00You are so right in saying that people want to cha...You are so right in saying that people want to change history, Maurice. It is this inability to accept and learn from history that has caused so many governments so many problems. This is precisely what leads to the poorly thought out foreign policies we witness today. The consequences, as you point out, can affect everyone. <BR/><BR/>All of us make mistakes. It is being able to recognise the mistake and take corrective action that will distinguish the good leader from the bad. But, we need to admit those mistakes as a lesson to those who will follow in our footsteps. <BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-84294710695925532862008-12-16T00:23:00.000+02:002008-12-16T00:23:00.000+02:00I agree with you up to a point ER. The purpose an...I agree with you up to a point ER. The purpose and aim of history is to learn from past mistakes ...... AND TO PREVENT FUTURE MISTAKES.<BR/><BR/>One only has to look at 'History' as taught in the 'modern world' and you'll see PCC (political correct crap)all over the place. No wonder the mighty 'world powers' repeat the same stupid mistakes, over and over again.<BR/><BR/>A fact about history - nobody can change it (although many try). 'They' can move on, but everything you do in life has consequences. The First World discovered with shock that they have feet of clay and that their clean little white faces are not so popular anymore.<BR/><BR/>People still dig up ancient 'civilizations' to find the answers for their disappearance. When people suffer, they look for answers.<BR/><BR/>A small player in the world like EO has made history. The people of Rhodesia and Southern Africa made history. The history has been twisted by those who choose to disinform. The truth is coming out for EO, because someone decided to stand up and tell the truth and take on those who choose to misinform. The truth about Africa will come out and the history will judge nations and individuals.<BR/><BR/>People get away with stupidity and lies only because the ignorant voters let them. You get what you vote for.<BR/><BR/>People only see the world as it is and loose their ignorance, when they loose their plasma TV's, their jobs and see their children suffer. The political correct doesn't believe in prevention, they want everything right now and will do anything to get it. They preach goodness in you face, then stab you in the back.<BR/><BR/>History will judge people and not even the Queen and all her men would be able to escape.<BR/><BR/>The knee-jerk reactions of the World Powers today - the creation of political correctness, together with the rise of terrorism are all the result of HISTORY catching up.<BR/><BR/>In Eastern philosophy this concept is described as Karma: in short, one doesn't get away with anything.Mauricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784087697704840271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-9199838290572807232008-12-14T07:23:00.000+02:002008-12-14T07:23:00.000+02:00Very sad, but true, ER. Rgds,EebenVery sad, but true, ER.<BR/> <BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-68919843821290260232008-12-13T20:27:00.000+02:002008-12-13T20:27:00.000+02:00Hey Eeben,Maurice's observation are very interesti...Hey Eeben,<BR/>Maurice's observation are very interesting, and probably believable, but history means nothing to the new guys in charge. The guys that made the decisions then, have moved on to boards, government endowments, and the likes with strategic monetary investments in tact, set for life.<BR/>We have hatched a whole new batch pursuing similar agendas in different places.E Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03495376115561772752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-18035391407762376422008-12-13T06:26:00.000+02:002008-12-13T06:26:00.000+02:00There are several very good books to read on the r...There are several very good books to read on the role and exploitation of HUMINT, Sigurdur. If one reads books by the old Soviet defectors (KGB and GRU) there is a lot to take note of in terms of planning and tradecraft. Whereas not everything may be as true as the authors write, they nevertheless serve as good references on how they approached their HUMNINT operations. <BR/><BR/>Tradecraft is something that evolves, depending on the area one is operating in, the opposition one is facing, the target itself, the objectives and so on. There are many factors that determine if the operation is a penetration or an infiltration. <BR/><BR/>Yes, I have and still do teach tradecraft. Several years ago, I taught tradecraft to selected military institutions and now mainly teach corporations how to use tradecraft to counter organised crime.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-85431010271645617212008-12-13T00:57:00.000+02:002008-12-13T00:57:00.000+02:00The book 'The Human Factor' by Ishmael Jones is an...The book 'The Human Factor' by Ishmael Jones is an excellent evisceration of the rot at the core of the USA's HUMINT service.<BR/><BR/>Eeben, would you ever teach a class about intelligence techniques? What would you suggest that HUMINT collectors read and learn? It is clear that the CIA cannot train its people to do it right, could you?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00067933385753389452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-10446506804318620892008-12-11T10:06:00.000+02:002008-12-11T10:06:00.000+02:00Well said, Maurice! I am writing a piece on terror...Well said, Maurice! I am writing a piece on terrorism and several of the comments you made I also pointed out. <BR/><BR/>The West is reaping what it created in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. So much for the politically correct foreign policy which has now become a dangerous internal situation.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-73756682374218640922008-12-11T09:32:00.000+02:002008-12-11T09:32:00.000+02:00I am a strong believer that the terrorism the West...I am a strong believer that the terrorism the West experience today, is a direct result of the support the West gave terrorism in the past.<BR/><BR/>Especially the US and UK 'walked' around with an attitude that terrorism is 'out there' and will never reach such civilized countries as the mighty world powers themselves.<BR/><BR/>Looking back, it is hilarious to think that England made Mugabe a 'Sir.' I wonder how the Queen sleep at night ......... thinking about all those starving children right in the middle of the breadbasket of Africa. Then again, if one look at who qualifies for 'Sir' status today ...........?<BR/><BR/>We can also look with disgust at the Nobel Peace Prices that were handed out like Girl Scout's cookies. Not to speak about the 'rise and shine' of Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and the strong support for terrorism in Palestine. The political correct alternative for terrorism was created - 'freedom fighters.'<BR/><BR/>When the 'freedom fighters' touched the soil of these world powers, we saw pathetic knee-jerk reactions, based on mainly fairy tales - a result of the total "loss of the intelligence tradecraft." Suddenly terrorism was terrorism again and needed to be stomped out. The end results in the Middle East is shocking and like elsewhere only increased the 'feeding process' of terrorism.<BR/><BR/>Only a bleeding heart political correct idiot will give praise or reward any form of terrorism.<BR/><BR/>Support for the West is down the drain and the West is now feeling the pain.<BR/><BR/>The Chinese machine is a slow moving machine, but a very disciplined and well organized one. If they play their cards right, they'll soon have a very effective continent on the move.<BR/><BR/>If I was a 'Sir' in the West, I'll be somewhat concerned.Mauricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784087697704840271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-31458062605761541612008-12-11T08:54:00.000+02:002008-12-11T08:54:00.000+02:00You are absolutely correct insofar as the military...You are absolutely correct insofar as the military is concerned, Johan. <BR/><BR/>Whereas I know nothing about world of science, I take you word for it. Thanks for your comment.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-2004210676059922552008-12-11T08:51:00.000+02:002008-12-11T08:51:00.000+02:00Very sad but true ER. I am just sometimes surprise...Very sad but true ER. I am just sometimes surprised as who the US throws their money at. <BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-38227806920757583912008-12-11T08:34:00.000+02:002008-12-11T08:34:00.000+02:00The art of gathering information & turning it ...The art of gathering information & turning it into intel has not only been lost in the military world. It has been lost by all who seek short cuts to instant gratification - and in all sectors including hard science.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-79529099348865207882008-12-11T08:02:00.000+02:002008-12-11T08:02:00.000+02:00Hey Eeben,The bill of goods that we get sold in th...Hey Eeben,<BR/>The bill of goods that we get sold in the USA is usually laden with untruths. If you can sell it then you can fund it. We seem to have so much money to throw around any cause will do. <BR/>We send money to Iraq by the ton. Pakistan use to underwrite the Taliban regime in Afghanistan with Musharif leading the charge, but when we needed an alley to fight them he signed Pakistan up, and they are still receiving money by the ton for their perceived cooperation. <BR/>Our motto could be, "there is not foreign policy issue that we can't solve as long as we can throw money at it. We are able to deliver amounts of money that are equal percentages of gross domestic product for that country. <BR/>I really don''t want to be labeled a curser, but if you are not on the receiving side of our foreign policy (CIA) you are at least F... for the <BR/>short term. Even when we lose lots of people die. <BR/>I wish the world could demand more from us, but we just have to much damn money to throw away, and so many are too willing to accept it.E Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03495376115561772752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-78095807407789983362008-12-10T17:57:00.000+02:002008-12-10T17:57:00.000+02:00Grumbleguts, I suspect that the penetration of the...Grumbleguts, I suspect that the penetration of the West is far more than is realised. But, this may be due to the publicity the situation is being given. As I said, I am not an expert on Al Queda but I look at how things are developing in the UK and the influence is certainly there. <BR/>Terrorism has been around for a long time. Usually, it was as you point out, isolated to a group or a cause. Now, it is easier for lump all Islamic terror groups under one banner. Again, there are allegations that Pakistan has been aiding and abetting Al Queda and that the Mumbai group came from Pakistan. So, it makes it easy to link the attack to one major group that can consist of many splinter groups. <BR/><BR/>Given that they all seem to be linked under one banner, it creates a sense of power and ability. That leads to fear. I would have thought that it would be easier to fight if people were made to realise that these groups are not everywhere and that they are not as powerful as claimed. It would also have created an opportunity to drive a wedge between such groups and destroy them piecemeal – or allow them to destroy themselves.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-46004141362493342862008-12-10T17:48:00.000+02:002008-12-10T17:48:00.000+02:00I recall those days, ER. We as South Africans had ...I recall those days, ER. We as South Africans had to bear the world’s guilt and scorn wherever we travelled but we came through it and will, despite what is happening, continue to come through it. So too will the rest of Africa.<BR/> <BR/>You are correct in saying it has nothing to do with colour: being useless is a state of mind and a choice of ignorance – and a desire to do nothing about it. <BR/><BR/>It is a pity the West betrayed South Africa and Rhodesia the way it did. But other countries were also betrayed. There were other ways of bringing about the change they wanted without resorting to assisting terrorism against us. As noted before, these betrayals are not easily forgotten and may be part of the reason why the US is not too welcome all over Africa. But, that is no fault of the average US citizen – it is more a case of a floundering foreign policy. <BR/><BR/>There are still many good men out there but they are diminishing. If we look at the role models the youth of today has…well, that may explain some of it. <BR/><BR/>Point taken on the “P” gene.<BR/><BR/>Rgds,<BR/><BR/>EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-24520666592183425342008-12-10T16:42:00.000+02:002008-12-10T16:42:00.000+02:00Hi Eeben, Thanks for the reply. Another thought. H...Hi Eeben, <BR/>Thanks for the reply. Another thought. Has there been a penetration of the west, or is it not maybe that small groups in different parts of the world have jumped onto the bandwagon, wanting recognition for whatever cause they stand for? There have been terrorist groups for many years, from before Baader Meinhof to the Stern Gang to what we have now. They wern't part of a global group, just isolated gangs that thought they had a cause. Would it not be possible that the 7/11 was an isolated group, and the Mumbai group an isolated one as well?Grumblegutshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13237109978134467907noreply@blogger.com