"Pentagon's New Map" author Thomas Barnett forced to depart War College.

Thomas Barnett ^ | 24 December 2004 | Thomas Barnett

[Max Combined]

"Oh no???"

Do you think they are going to put their AIDS into a rocket and send it over here? How is it a threat? How do you think we are going to stop AIDS in Africa?

[CyberAnt]

Well .. I don't know if Barnett has any strength in the admin dept either - and you make a good point that he's much more valuable where he is.

[Max Combined]

"From my hearing of him he understands US problems quite well."

If he does, then why does he suggest sending American troops all over the globe and being the Leviathan to the gap and enforcing rule sets anytime they get out of line?

It cost money to be the world's cop, money that is better spent on this country.

[AndyJackson]

How is it [AIDS] a threat?

Oh come on, you are a horse's ass. If you cannot answer that question you have no business writing on strategic issues.

[bahblahbah]

We wouldn't have the balls to open up the nuclear Pandora's box if China didn't do it first. India and Pakistan were fighting and they didn't nuke each other. If its contained to a tight theater(AKA Formosa strait) with strictly conventional weaponry on military targets then China could beat us and we can only just sit back and whine.

Now I liked what this guy had to say about fighting the WoT, but he came off really soft on China. He believes that China is just being aggressive because they are trying to "define" themselves. I don't buy it.

[Max Combined]

"This is a self-promoting intellectual snob trying to tell the rest of us not to bother reading something that we could not possibly understand."

No, it is a valid criticism. His jargon is irritating, "system perturbations," for instance.

His pop book after 911 did make some waves. Let's see if anyone refers to the book ten years from now. I think it will be a passing fancy, since it does not say anything important.

[Max Combined]

"You sound like the critics of Einstein"

I knew Einstein. Einstein was a friend of mine. Barnett is no Einstein.

[AndyJackson]

His jargon is irritating, "system perturbations," for instance.

Jargon? This is a perfectly comprehensible to most of us. But paragons of arrogance like yourself would like to convince the rest of us that this is incomprehensible.

You are a lot more irritating than Barnett.

[Max Combined]

"We have provided the nuclear trip wire and made it clear that cross this line and holocaust occurs."

You think so? I am not so sure that we would nuke China if they look like they would take Taiwan. Are we willing to lose Los Angeles? Do you think the folks in California have signed off on this policy? I do not remember that policy being widely published. I think we have deliberately left what would happen in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan a bit unclear.

I think China wants Taiwan more than we want China not to have Taiwan. Remember when the Chinese came pouring into Korea? Did we nuke them then? No, and they did not have their own nukes then.

[Max Combined]

"Now, do you want to get stuck in this rut for 60 years or do you want to move on to something more productive."

I think China wants Taiwan and is willing to call our bluff.

[Max Combined]

"Are we willing to use our nuclear deterrent in that case."

I do not think we are willing to use our nuclear deterrent to stop the Chinese from taking Taiwan. I would rather let the Chinese have Taiwan than get into lobbing nukes back and forth with them over it. What do you think? Would you flip the switch to send a nuke China's way in response to their sinking an aircraft carrier?

I do not think the nuclear option is credible. A good strong conventional defense, that could keep the Chinese from being able to get across the channel is a more credible defense, IMHO.

[Max Combined]

"he's much more valuable where he is."

Yes, we need gadflies.

[Max Combined]

"If you cannot answer that question you have no business writing on strategic issues."

Nice dodge. How is AIDS in Africa a threat to America?

We already have AIDS here. How does the level of AIDS or the existence of AIDS in Africa threaten us?

[AndyJackson]

I think China wants Taiwan more than we want China not to have Taiwan.Then China gets Taiwan.

[Max Combined]

"I don't buy it."

Neither do I. The theory is more important to Barnett than the facts on the ground.

[AndyJackson]

we better make sure that we have plenty of F-22s, get a naval version of the F-23, ... We also need to get Taiwan those subs we promised them and some Aegis equipped destroyers.

An enterprising individual could figure out which Beltway bandit employed by Raytheon and Northrop you work for. We are not buying more of this stuff because: 1. Our budget is over-run and you are going to see some significant cut-backs. 2. The Pentagon and its lobbiests have failed to convince Congress to bust the budget to buy more of this stuff, and 3. We will, in the end rely on nuclear deterrence (and if not then China gets Taiwan.).

As for subs - I seriously doubt we have promised any of our (nuclear) subs to Taiwan. Some [German, French or Dutch built - we don't make any] conventional submarines might be a nice gesture, but are not a serious deterrent.

[Max Combined]

"You are a lot more irritating than Barnett."

My you are thin skinned when it comes to your hero or are you Barnett?

The guy has a couple good ideas and a high opinion of himself. He is a flash in the pan who will soon be forgoten, like so many other flash in the pans before him.

[Max Combined]

"You are a lot more irritating than Barnett."

My you are thin skinned when it comes to your hero or are you Barnett?

The guy has a couple good ideas and a high opinion of himself. He is a flash in the pan who will soon be forgotten, like so many other flash in the pans before him.

[AndyJackson]

We wouldn't have the balls to open up the nuclear Pandora's box if China ...

Well, then, China gets Taiwan.

[Max Combined]

"I am all ears."

No, you are all bluster and insults.