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Moving my response to another thread here, Ritchie: I just happened to be up and the timing fits.

I'm fortunate to have read David Kilcullen's "The Accidental Guerilla" and recommend it to anyone puzzled by the dilemmas of expeditionary wars. That's not just us layfolk: very senior military often have little idea what they are sending troops into when it's an alien culture, and this is one of Kilcullen's main arguments. Another relevant one is that Afghanistan is an "honour based" culture where every man is armed and is obliged to take at least a symbolic shot at the invader, or say that they have. Because the resulting lack of clarity in our military eventually becomes obvious to all, it becomes possible for different kinds of leadership to come from the ranks and even a corporal can have his day. Lack of oversight can then lead to pockets of really wild men who can arrange their own way of doing things and keep this up as long as they know how to fudge an action report. This can go on for a while, until some decent observer is determined enough to push a complaint to senior levels. In the meantime, even a corporal can get a Gong.
 
Vince said:
Moving my response to another thread here, Ritchie: I just happened to be up and the timing fits.

I'm fortunate to have read David Kilcullen's "The Accidental Guerilla" and recommend it to anyone puzzled by the dilemmas of expeditionary wars. That's not just us layfolk: very senior military often have little idea what they are sending troops into when it's an alien culture, and this is one of Kilcullen's main arguments. Another relevant one is that Afghanistan is an "honour based" culture where every man is armed and is obliged to take at least a symbolic shot at the invader, or say that they have. Because the resulting lack of clarity in our military eventually becomes obvious to all, it becomes possible for different kinds of leadership to come from the ranks and even a corporal can have his day. Lack of oversight can then lead to pockets of really wild men who can arrange their own way of doing things and keep this up as long as they know how to fudge an action report. This can go on for a while, until some decent observer is determined enough to push a complaint to senior levels. In the meantime, even a corporal can get a Gong.
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Interesting.
 
Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith distinguished himself as an outstanding junior leader on more than 50 high risk counter-leadership operations against a determined enemy. He invested heavily in training and mentoring the members of his patrol and less experienced members in the wider Task Group. In planning operations, he drew on a detailed understanding of enemy networks and the human and physical terrain in which they operate to develop lateral tactical concepts. In execution, he consistently demonstrated great courage, resourcefulness and endurance.

As a veteran of several previous tours, Corporal Roberts-Smith took responsibility for mentoring and developing both his own patrol and the personnel of the wider Special Operations Task Group. He readily offered advice on planning, equipment, and tactical techniques, contributing directly to individual and collective capability. His efforts ensured the effective transfer of his professional knowledge and experience to a new generation of special forces soldiers.

Corporal Roberts-Smith led from the front in even the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances, maintaining the highest levels of motivation and readiness in his patrol. His performance in leading five special reconnaissance missions exemplified his professional approach and technical skill. These high-threat missions required superior situational awareness, patience, and preparedness. Corporal Roberts-Smith planned meticulously and executed skilfully, ensuring the security of his patrol and enabling mission success.

This was written by the Australian War Memorial. Was it read at his trial.
 
Ritchie said:
Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith distinguished himself as an outstanding junior leader on more than 50 high risk counter-leadership operations against a determined enemy. He invested heavily in training and mentoring the members of his patrol and less experienced members in the wider Task Group. In planning operations, he drew on a detailed understanding of enemy networks and the human and physical terrain in which they operate to develop lateral tactical concepts. In execution, he consistently demonstrated great courage, resourcefulness and endurance.

As a veteran of several previous tours, Corporal Roberts-Smith took responsibility for mentoring and developing both his own patrol and the personnel of the wider Special Operations Task Group. He readily offered advice on planning, equipment, and tactical techniques, contributing directly to individual and collective capability. His efforts ensured the effective transfer of his professional knowledge and experience to a new generation of special forces soldiers.

Corporal Roberts-Smith led from the front in even the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances, maintaining the highest levels of motivation and readiness in his patrol. His performance in leading five special reconnaissance missions exemplified his professional approach and technical skill. These high-threat missions required superior situational awareness, patience, and preparedness. Corporal Roberts-Smith planned meticulously and executed skilfully, ensuring the security of his patrol and enabling mission success.

This was written by the Australian War Memorial. Was it read at his trial.
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😳 That was my job in the army exactly. Eternally glad I didn't have to show it in a real war like those poor souls in Ukraine.
 
Thomas I have no military experience and would not have qualified for peactime service in any case. If there was a war you would see me most likely sitting on a chair and guarding some railway crossing. Nevertheless, it's in my bones somehow.

For the AWM accolades
Ritchie said:
Was it read at his trial
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It might take a day to look that up but you could assume yes. It couldn't be dismissed as irrelevant. The original leak to the press shows some sort of complicated blunder happened, and I have no idea what form it took. A lot of people in Army certainly will, though. Maybe without the leak and publicity they would not have? As Harry Potter might have said: "It's probably complicated". On a balance, I'll stand up with Grier and say that I think
more good than harm comes out of the revelations.
 
In a return to 'mad Joe' Stalin-era tactics of using the dregs of Russian society as expendable forces in warfare,'mad Vlad' Putin has enlisted convicted criminals, including cannibals and murderers, to fight in Ukraine as part of the so-called "Storm-Z" squads, according to the media Newsweek.
The Kremlin's initiative involves recruiting tens of thousands of prisoners, offering them presidential pardons in exchange for six months of service on the front lines in Ukraine.
 
Richie said:
www.euronews.com

Trump encouraging Russia to attack puts allies at risks - NATO leader

Moscow could 'do whatever the hell they want' with NATO members that didn't meet spending targets, warned Trump on Saturday.
www.euronews.com www.euronews.com

''appalling and unhinged'' is spot on. This guy must not be permitted to lead the Free Worlds strongest nation.
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Trump's statement is once again ridiculous just like the whole guy himself is. Such a plan is infeasible and aims at dividing NATO. A shame that NATO has got member states like Hungary and Turkey.
 
Richie said:
Not when it is an open invitation for a deluded tyrant to invade his nations allies.
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I meant his plan only to aid certain NATO countries , should they be attacked. Such a plan is infeasible. He'll have to make a decision on whether to aid NATO as a whole or not. He cannot single out certain countries only. Clause 5 of the NATO Treaty works differently.
 
looker-on said:
Trump's statement is once again ridiculous just like the whole guy himself is. Such a plan is infeasible and aims at dividing NATO. A shame that NATO has got member states like Hungary and Turkey.
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What a great article Craig! I read it all which confirmed my own memories and thinking.
Trump is a dumb menace not realising NATO is "One for all and all for one. "He's a very angry and stupid man with no regard for anything but money. A greedy self serving business man treating America like a business with little regard for higher concerns. His yardstick is money.
I checked today that he's worth about $US2 billion and that woman he raped and denigrated publically was awarded about $US800million from Trump. I bet that hurt him badly losing 40% of his wealth. I liked that and he's got a long list of other court cases to attend too like his insurrection one given the go ahead. Karma has got him by the goolies (aussie slang for testicles).

I liked this quote below from the article in your link Craig.
I'll pass it on, and your gif.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called Trump's comments "appalling and unhinged", saying that “encouraging invasions of our closest allies... endangers American national security, global stability, and our economy at home."
 
Grier said:
A greedy self serving business man treating America like a business with little regard for higher concerns. His yardstick is money.
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Yes, his driving force is greed, the greed for money but also for power. He keeps telling the audience what they want to hear and, consequently, what will bring him into office. He has no principles and no shared values with the West as we understand it.

The interesting, and for that matter, vital question is why so many people listen to him, buy into his lies, and are prepared to follow him - eventually into a different society? Doesn't he use figures of speech like the "us 'n' them" dichotomy which, to my surprise, Craig also used some time ago?

It starts with those kinds of concepts, with distortions, lies, with language that is used to divide, to say the unspeakable, and which gives ideas and terms a new, distorted content before it finally leads to, sometimes violent, actions and practical steps aiming at putting those ideas into practice.

Why do right-wing populists often, some may even say too often, dominate arguments and walk away from discussions as the perceived winner for many people? How can we prevent them from setting agendas, how can we avoid discussing their topics, using their language, reacting to their framing?

Since all those efforts have obviously not been successful (right-wing populist and extremist parties keep growing in Europe and the US), a completely different approach is needed: Rather than attempting to debunk their framing and rhetoric, explaining their strategies time and again, exposing them as long-term liars, in short, going down their propaganda-lined path, we should ignore their rhetoric and advocate our own truth, our own narratives and ideas. Who is "we"? Any opponent of far-right or right-wing populist movements, anyone who wants to live in a free society, i.e., people working in the media, researchers, writers, the civil society in fact.

Are there populist parties in AUS I wonder? If not, why not, would you say?
 
What we heard about the UK military was a BIT OF A SHOCK for the Brits. I am ashamed to say we Aussies are in a worse position should we become involved in a conflict.

I think the only solution to avoid quitters is to reintroduce conscription. Two years national service for say 19-25 yrs single men (women?). I was on the brink of being called up but the change of government saved my bacon. Several of my friends and a cousin were not so lucky and found themselves in Vietnam. All survived but two were mentally scarred. In all 15,300 young Aussie nashos served in the Vietnam War, with 200 killed and 1,279 wounded.
 
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Sco Mo committed $270B in defense spending over 10 years in 2020. Comprising more potent strike weapons, cyber capabilities and a high-tech underwater surveillance system. Has the current government honored that or dumped it?
 
Richie said:
Please explain Thomas. Not a criticism, merely a query.
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I was referring to this ( from the thread What/Who am I, 24 Jan):
Richie said:
Yes do tell as I try to avoid politics. You know whoever you vote for that they wont follow thru on even half their promises. MOST POLITICIANS ARE PATHOLOGICAL LIARS.
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I'm sure you are aware that your statement includes a fair amount of disenchantment with politics. What I'm not sure about is whether you are also aware of the implications.

Most politicians are pathological liars is not a critical statement for it is way too general and, thus, helps those who are discontent with our current liberal democracy and aim to replace it. It is no wonder that politician-bashing is one of the key elements of right-wing populism in Europe and the US. (Is it in AUS, too?) Again, no one would object to a constructive criticism of the work of a specific politician, group of politicians, or policy. The problem is sweeping condemnations of the political class as becomes apparent in your statement. This is what constitutes the political and ideological strategy of populism. Populism is divisive, it tries to establish camps, it creates irreconcilable differences between "us" and "them", "We, the people" versus "them", the corrupt elites like politicians, government, governing bodies, experts, the rich, the governing class, etc.pp. This is part and parcel of Trumpism and what his followers say and write the world over. Think of the Seniors...Forum in which they are gathering.

This is a rough outline of just one major element of populist speak, of their mindset, and framing and I was surprised to see your statement, mate. Do you really believe in that?
 
Richie said:
I think the only solution to avoid quitters is to reintroduce conscription. Two years national service for say 18-25 yrs single men (women?).
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I'd second that since that's the only solution. It'll have to include women this time.
I didn't have a choice, If I didn't want to go to jail, I had to serve in the armed forces. I was drafted aged 19 for 1.5 years to be trained as reconnaissance scout in a tank regiment using an armoured vehicle. Later, as a reservist, I was trained as a long-range recon scout operating behind enemy lines.
 
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