Lots of Podcasts in today’s post but there is one in particular that I would like to bring your attention to: There’s More To Life Than Lethality, a throwback to 2019 from the U.S. Army War College’s, A Better Peace. In this episode they discuss how a myopic view on lethality may lead to fighting battles that do not need to be fought disregarding the Sun Tzu axiom: “The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities…it is best to win without fighting.” After all, the Taliban primarily conquered Afghanistan with diplomacy.
Two stories covering Latin America are next as our attention on the great power competition continues. The first, from Reuters: U.S. plans projects in Latin America countering China’s Belt and Road frames an upcoming South American infrastructure tour where countering China’s influence is discussed. The second, from the New York Times: Five Years After Peace Deal, Colombia Is Running Out of Time, Experts Say tackles the long elusive peace deal in Columbia and the importance of governance. I’m not saying the FARC could reemerge with the strength of the Taliban but it is something to keep an eye on.
Shifting focus, we turn to Australia where they pose the question: Australia Took On China. Did It Get It Right? The article details the difficulties of decoupling from China and some unintended consequences created by Australia’s attempts at limiting Chinese influence there. In other Quad news, we go to India and once again, The New York Times: For India’s Military, a Juggling Act on Two Hostile Fronts where they find themselves in an increasingly difficult situation competing for influence in the region while stuck between Pakistan and China.
Foreign Policy looks at the great power competition though a different lens in: China Is a Declining Power—and That’s the Problem. Essentially, they argue that China has emerged as an aspiring superpower without firing a shot, why would a secure nation risk a conflict when their continued trajectory isn’t imperiled? They argue that China has already peaked, is potentially facing a prolonged slowdown or even a decline and may in fact be more dangerous as the attempt to consolidate their gains. It’s definitely something to think about, but if true, does it really change anything? For something different, how about robot squirrels? Popular Mechanics looks at the future in: The Army Is Modeling Its Future Robots on … Squirrels. All of this and more in Today’s Daily Dump!
Inspired by the Cognitive Raider Initiative, The Cognitive Warrior Project has put together a daily list of diverse articles that can easily be chosen from to play a part in developing a more mentally agile warfighter that embraces the adaptation required for tomorrow’s battlefield. Our intent is to create a space where you can choose one or two articles a day (about 10 minutes) instead of mindlessly scrolling social media.
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September 27, 2021
From Tools to Teammates – Australian Army Research Center
Podcast: THERE’S MORE TO LIFE THAN LETHALITY – A Better Peace (2019)
Podcast: Information Operations for the Information Age: IO in Irregular Warfare – Irregular Warfare
Podcast: The Decision-Making Crucible of Combat – The Spear
Towards a Biden Doctrine: US National Interest or Global Commitment? – Royal United Service Institute
Alternatives to Failed Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran – Royal United Service Institute
Podcast: Episode 23: FATF’s Unintended Consequences: The Past – Financial Crime Insights Podcast
Speaker Series: National Security in a Digital World – NSI
North Korean Sanctions Evasion Techniques – RAND
Suicide Bombers Take Part in West Bank Ceremony – Long War Journal
Podcast: Isn’t it Grand? – Horns of Dilemma
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a National Defense Strategy – War on the Rocks
Securing an Orderly Departure for Afghan Refugees – War on the Rocks
Better Monitoring and Better Spying: The Implications of Emerging Technology for Arms Control – Texas National Security Review
IF HAWKEI CAN’T FLY, WHAT WILL? – The Forge
Death Disrespected: The Trials and Tribulations of Santa Muerte Internacional and the Martyrdom of Comandante Pantera – Small Wars Journal
9/26/2021 National Security and Korean News and Commentary – Small Wars Journal
Russia’s Climate Gamble – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Sub Deal with Aus-UK – The Truth of the Matter
Rwanda: the emergence of an African ‘smart power’ – Institute for Security Studies
Event – September 28: Africa’s security partnership with China: looking to the future – Institute for Security Studies
The Kremlin’s Strange Victory: How Putin Exploits American Dysfunction and Fuels American Decline – Foreign Affairs
Don’t Sink the Nuclear Submarine Deal: The Benefits of AUKUS Outweigh the Proliferation Risks – Foreign Affairs
China power crunch spreads, shutting factories and dimming growth outlook – Reuters
Taiwan says needs long-range weapons to deter China – Reuters
U.S. plans projects in Latin America countering China’s Belt and Road – Reuters
Kremlin says NATO expansion in Ukraine crosses red line for Putin – Reuters
Shadow contracts, corruption keep the lights out in Iraq – AP
Seven ways Africa is adapting to climate change – DW
Colombia: 5 years after FARC deal, peace remains elusive – DW
Czech Republic: Historic military bunkers go on sale – DW
Sisi warns of ‘grave threat’ from Ethiopia over Nile dispute – Al Monitor
Syrian government eyes control of key highway in northwest – Al Monitor
Vietnam bids to woo Cambodia, Laos from China – Asia Times
The meandering nature of the Quad– Asia Times
Quad and AUKUS building a bulwark against China – Asia Times
Five Years After Peace Deal, Colombia Is Running Out of Time, Experts Say – The New York Times
A Nervy Trip to Kabul: How Ukraine Negotiated With the Taliban and Rescued 96 Afghans – The New York Times
For India’s Military, a Juggling Act on Two Hostile Fronts – The New York Times
Australia Took On China. Did It Get It Right? – The New York Times
Tajikistan Concerned About Taliban Plots To Infiltrate From Afghanistan – Radio Free Europe
Hungary To Sign New Long-Term Gas Supply Deal With Russia – Radio Free Europe
UN Nuclear Watchdog Says Iran Denying Monitoring Access At ‘Indispensable’ Site – Radio Free Europe
View From The Ground: Russia’s Ulyanovsk Region Highlights Limits Of China-Russia Ties – Radio Free Europe
Nigerians mourns troops killed in jihadist attack – Africa News
China Is a Declining Power—and That’s the Problem – Foreign Policy
Why This Energy Crisis Is Different – Foreign Policy
Afghan Resistance Mulls Formation of Government in Exile – Foreign Policy
AUKUS reshapes the strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific – The Economist
The Assad Regime’s Business Model for Supporting the Islamic State – Lawfare
Legal Mechanisms of AUKUS Explained – Lawfare
India, the Quad and AUKUS – Lawfare
How can the British Army anticipate a crisis as it develops to maximise speed of response? – Wavell Room
In Separatist Transnistria, Sheriff Calls the Shots – The Moscow Times
Russia Raids Kill 11 Pro-Turkish Fighters in Syria – Monitor – The Moscow Times
Assessing Australia’s Cyber-Attack Attribution Issues – Divergent Options
China’s Big New Twin-Jet Long-Endurance Armed Combat Drone Emerges – The Drive
China’s J-16D Electronic Attack Jet Seen Sporting Jamming Pods For The First Time – The Drive
The Army Is Modeling Its Future Robots on … Squirrels – Popular Mechanics
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