RECOMMENDED READING
Fabius Maximus at DNI continues his series with “ Forecasts for the American Expedition to Iraq – the Sequel.Also, Introducing the New Kingmaker in American Politics!”
I note for Dave Schuler that Fabius cites Walter Russell Mead in his essay. Overall, very intriguing though I disagree with some of it – noting for example that democracy and civil war are hardly incompatible. One may kill other or a state of juxtaposition or coexistence may pesist until the LIC civil war simply burns itself out.
Curzon at Coming Anarchy has a “threefer”: two posts on his ” Mapping the Gap” series –
“Mapping the Gap, Part 1: War Risk Insurance“, “Mapping the Gap, Part 2: Homosexuality Laws” and “Discussion: Exxon Sued for Allowing Indonesia Troops to Torture“
“The Strength of Internet Ties” (PDF) by PEW . Examining the internet and social networks. A ” must read” for bloggers and military netwar theorists alike. The survey finds evidence of real empowerment, connectivity and leveraging of resources for sustaining large networks via the internet. The net is a multiplier here and an expander of parameters of influence.
Hat tip to the Eide Neurolearning Blog.
That’s it.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:44 am
A quick follow-up on your comment that “democracy and civil war are hardly incompatible.”
I agree. But not in Iraq, since there is no Government. The existing shell or semblance of one does little actual governing — and most especially has little control over the police and army. It will, I believe, collapse once we leave.
I discuss this in my November “Forecasts.”
http://www.d-n-i.net/fcs/fabius_forecasts_nov_2005.htm
For a far better explanation see today’s Tomdispatch article by Prof. Michael Schwartz.
http://www.tomdispatch.com
It’s one of the best articles I’ve seen about Iraq since the invasion.