If Mao Zedong, “Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed” or Carl von Clausewitz in On War, “War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means” are correct then a contributing factor to the Taliban conquering of Afghanistan is their understanding of diplomacy. One could take this a step further and declare, Afghanistan was a political failure and not a military one. At a minimum the understanding of politics and diplomacy is an often-overlooked aspect of war. Therefore, I am excited by the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) announcement of the West Point Journal Of Politics And Security, the “creation of a new undergraduate journal” which “aims to be the premiere publication in the United States for undergraduate research on topics germane to U.S. and international political and security interests.” Part of politics is governance and the Long War Journal reports that Sirajuddin Haqqani’s Ministry of Interior has begun issuing Afghan passports. If you need a refresher on who the Haqqani Network is, the Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point has you covered. Sticking with politics but changing regions, The Strategy Bridge is #Reviewing No Conquest, No Defeat which provides a fascinating take on Iran’s National Security Strategy and Lawfare details the AUKUS security agreement in, Water Wars: ‘AUKUS Is Born’. Both are definitely worth your time. For something different, Israeli archaeologists unearth 2,700-year-old toilet (DW). All of this and more in Today’s Daily Dump.
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October 6, 2021
Haqqani Network – Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point
More Than Submarines: Implications of AUKUS in the Air Domain – Council on Foreign Relations
WEST POINT JOURNAL OF POLITICS AND SECURITY – U.S. Military Academy West Point
Podcast: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE: REBUILDING CULTURAL CAPABILITIES – AGAIN – A Better Peace
#Reviewing No Conquest, No Defeat – The Strategy Bridge
Sirajuddin Haqqani’s Ministry of Interior has begun issuing Afghan passports – Long War Journal
Japan’s Authorities in a Taiwan Contingency: Providing Needed Clarity – War on the Rocks
The American Deconfliction Disadvantage: Ankara’s Drone Campaign in Syria and Iraq – War on the Rocks
Reality Check for Virtual Reality – The Forge
10/5/2021 National Security and Korean News and Commentary – Small Wars Journal
First Takes: Our Initial Reactions to USTR Tai’s CSIS Speech on China Policy – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Biden says he and China’s Xi agree to abide by Taiwan agreement – Reuters
Taiwan defence minister pushes new arms spending, says China tensions worst in four decades – Reuters
ASEAN discusses excluding Myanmar junta chief from summit -envoy – Reuters
Sunday’s vote in Iraq clouded by a disillusioned electorate – AP
US, France edge closer to rapprochement after AUKUS spat – AP
Israeli archaeologists unearth 2,700-year-old toilet – DW
Afghanistan: British officials hold talks with the Taliban – DW
US-Tunisian military cooperation tested by Saied’s actions – Al Monitor
Territorial spats reheat ahead of Turkey-Greece talks – Al Monitor
Azerbaijan weighs buying Israeli Arrow-3 missile amid Iran tensions – Al Monitor
The hidden enemies in Xi’s midst – Asia Times
AI robots may have already killed in combat – Asia Times
Taliban has no interest in cutting its terror ties – Asia Times
Malaysia, China go head to head in South China Sea – Asia Times
For Sale Now: U.S.-Supplied Weapons in Afghan Gun Shops – The New York Times
Captured, Killed or Compromised: C.I.A. Admits to Losing Dozens of Informants – The New York Times
Turkey And Azerbaijan Launch Joint Military Drills – Radio Free Europe
Maasai give up nomadic lifestyle due to climate change – Africa News
Don’t Arm the Afghan Resistance – Foreign Policy
New Bond Can’t Take On Beijing’s Supervillains – Foreign Policy
Marines are testing a new scope that ‘locks on’ target – Task and Purpose
Latin American democracy is in poor but surprisingly stable health – The Economist
Water Wars: ‘AUKUS Is Born’ – Lawfare
Computerized Rifle Sights To Be Tested By Navy And Marines For Drone Defense – The Drive
F-35A Completes Final Inert Drop Test Of New B61-12 Nuclear Bomb – The Drive
Everything We Know About Israel’s Robotic Machine Gun – Popular Mechanics
Podcast: #AfterAfghanistan: ISIS attacks the Taliban. – The John Batchelor Show
Podcast: #AfterAfghanistan: Al Qaeda in Afghanistan – The John Batchelor Show
Podcast: #AfterAfghanistan: Same as the old Taliban – The John Batchelor Show
Podcast: #AfterAfghanistan: The Haqqani Family – The John Batchelor Show
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