Army shakeups clear path for Rumsfeld's vision

Stars and Stripes ^ | European edition, Sunday, April 27, 2003 | By Joseph L. Galloway, Knight Ridder

[Filibuster_60]

Don't underestimate the PRC's logistics. Quietly, under the cover of industrialization, they have developed the world's largest and highest revenue merchant marine fleet (COSCO) including wholly owned port facilities. In terms of overland, the web of superhighway construction has been particularly notable in terms of increasing interconnection to S and SE Asia. I find it curious that, in parallel, the PRC have not only been increasing numbers of tanks, but also of TELs. As for material movement, no doubt the large commercial fleet of trucks could be quickly converted for military use.

The PRC's tank inventory, unlike their air force, may well be modernized on a 1-for-1 basis, and that's something for Beijing's neighbors to really think about. They now have ~12,000 tanks, of which only ~3,000 are considered front-line MBTs, but in another 10 years they could have thousands of the relatively modern Type 80/88 and 90/98 models. Most will have depleted-uranium ammo that could punch a hole in the best US tanks. They've even made good progress with various tactical laser weapons, as their optical physics technology is among the world's best, so they could have a few nasty surprises should our troops ever meet their armor.

[razorbak]

Do a google search on John Boyd

From what I read of John Boyd's theories, it looks like Robert E. Lee was way ahead of his time [except for his great blunder at Gettysburg].

[centurion316]

But then again the Marines learn gunnery.

Yes they do. From the Army, at Ft. Sill.

[Filibuster_60]

One can easily picture us being tied down in the ME and Korea, when all of the sudden, the PLA attack (and perhaps not even invade) Taiwan (e.g. via missiles) while combined PLA - Myanmar and Pakistani forces (these three are coordinating ops in Myanmar) make a blitz via highway to the SE. What would we do.... what WOULD we do?

Not only can I "easily picture" this but I'm thinking it's a near-certainty that the PLA will strike only when we're fairly tied down elsewhere.

I don't think we'll have the capability to respond to multiple crises simultaneously for the forseeable future. It'll require a level of military spending and commitment that our leaders aren't prepared to sell to the public.

And there will always be other big powers that we can't preempt under any circumstances, since we don't have the resources to coerce them in their own neighborhood. Containment is the only option for Russia and China. The problem is, Russia's getting weaker and becoming easier to contain, but the "containment perimeter" of China is sure to expand in the coming years, whether gradually or in sharp spurts.

[Ben Bolt]

Thanks for the URL . Fascinating stuff .

[Quix]

SOME GREAT ARTICLES.

Thanks for the suggestion.

He sounds like a rare person.

We were blessed to have had him on our side!

[Quix]

An interesting point.

Wasn't there a prophecy that some people have calculated--I think calculated 2-3 different ways--was to the day fulfilled--was it in the 67 war or the 48 war. Getting too fuzzy on these things.

I'm not sure I'd guess at this point where The Lord would count from.

I think most of me would still go with the 1948 date.

[Jim Noble]

The question is how can you have a light force up front without artillery behind them?

Bring a few of these along:

[billorites]

"Ouch! Whatever became of that investigation?"

The General was admonished not to have his wife attend classified briefings again.

He's very much in favor in the Pentagon and received no more than a slap on the wrist.

So it goes, in my experience. So it should be.

[billorites]

The General got in some trouble and was investigated for letting his wife attend classified meetings.

It's a security violation that doesn't amount to a genuine breach, but just looks ugly, awkward and unprofessional.

He has been "counseled" about it very publicly.

[Quix]

Ah yes. I remember.

By the same token,

her unroyal lowness,
her hideous heinous
Bwitch Shrillery ought also have been
publically humiliated for her

co-presidency hideousness.

[SuziQ]

I know there are people who will scream about Rumsfeld having this much control. With the wonderful performance of the military in Iraq, however, I do think his vision is somewhat vindicated! Everyone knows there is a lot of bloat in the Pentagon; folks have been complaining about it for years! It could use a stiff dose of streamlining!

[Orion78]

Russian Defector Warns US against Planned Unilateral Disarmament Measures (7/19/01)

"At the request of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, military analysts are currently developing a new defense strategy, due in September (2001), which will sufficiently reduce American combat readiness, defense capabilities and effectiveness. While it's very difficult to predict what could happen to America's defenses after this new strategy is implemented, there is no doubt that from that time onward the U.S. military will no longer be prepared to wage two major wars simultaneously.

[SauronOfMordor]

The PRC's tank inventory, unlike their air force, may well be modernized on a 1-for-1 basis, and that's something for Beijing's neighbors to really think about. They now have ~12,000 tanks, of which only ~3,000 are considered front-line MBTs, but in another 10 years they could have thousands of the relatively modern Type 80/88 and 90/98 models.

Aggressors have a strategic advantage over defenders: the aggressor gets to choose the time and place of the conflict, the defender must be ready at all times to receive an attack

What this means is that the Chinese can concentrate on expanding their manufactoring and high-tech sectors for now, work behind the scenes to get the US involved in multiple conflicts which (although won by the US) sap the US's strength and economic viability. At the point where the US economy can no longer support a large military expansion, the Chinese can switch to military production.

[GOP_1900AD]

In other words, we are talking ourselves into losing WW-III.

[GOP_1900AD]

Geopolitical analysis by a skunk at many garden parties...

[ModelBreaker]

Thanks for posting this. I read another report of these same tests. The Stryker looks like a complete Clintonian dud.

[GOP_1900AD]

Stavka2 and Serge.... now that the Kremlin got caught helping out the Ba'athists and therefore proved the assertions herein what do you have to say regarding the Weimarian deceptive military buildup of the Axis, and, our call to rearm the US? I say jettison all arms control aggreements and build bunkers (including one for me! ;). Rummy is still too affected by the scarcity mentality to effectively stand off the Axis from the coming anti Western chess moves.

[DarkWaters]

The Chinese are always flexible when their goals are oriented away from their domestic side like now. They are also a very patient lot and use small weaknesses to build larger ones over time(this way most won't see them until it is to late, kind of like tossing a frog in a cold pot of water and cooking him slowly).

They make up their minds to be and decide to become creative.

That is already done and calculated into long range planning, only the fruits of such endeavors will ever be seen until it is far to late(basic strategy to knock your opponent off his feat and then close the trap you had waiting for him all along, all that is required is patience).

[DarkWaters]

The Russians have the perfect anti tank missile(Kornet) that will penetrate any reactive armer, it is based off; the thermobaric effect.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/kornet/