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SINISTER WISDOM

Carl Schmitt was one of those brilliant German intellectuals who, in the anti-democratic traditions of elite European authoritarianism and illiberalism, lent their prestige and moral authority to Fascism. Like his contemporary, the philosopher Martin Heidegger, Schmitt became an enthusiastic Nazi and an academic bully. Unlike Heidegger, who in his malice or dotage fellated the radical New Left, Schmitt never recanted his National Socialist past.

That being said, Schmitt’s deep learning and insights about the state, the struggle for power and war should not be ignored lightly because of his wicked politics any more than we should eschew learning from the writings of Mao ZeDong, Franz Fanon or Sayyid Qtub. Only a fool ignores the ideas of the enemy.

With that caveat, I recommend Schmitt’s “ The Theory of The Partisan“.

A major hat tip to my friend and fellow blogger Marc Schulman who I suspect unearthed this link in his own research into Alexandre Kojeve.

CURRENTLY READING…

Ok, just started the first chapter in each, so I have little to say – but here they are!

Wikinomics

Medici Effect

Wealth of Networks

They have reinvigorated my interest in a currently moribund collaborative project with Dr.Von (hmmm…his blog seems a touch moribund as well- political office must be eating up all his time LOL!) Perhaps, if I can get some serious momentum going on it this summer, he’ll hop back on the bandwagon.

IT’S A RARE AUTHOR OF MIL BOOKS WHO CAN BRING THOMAS BARNETT AND WILLIAM LIND TOGETHER

John succeeded though, garnering thoughtful reviews of Brave New War from Dr. Barnett and ” The Father of Fourth Generation Warfare”, William Lind, both of whom lauded Robb’s work ( albeit from starkly different perspectives).

ADDENDUM:

Chet Richards has his review posted now too.

HAMMES ON 5GW

Colonel Thomas X. Hammes, author of the critically acclaimed The Sling and The Stone, opines on the nature of 5GW at DNI.

” Fourth Generation Warfare Evolves, Fifth Emerges ” (PDF)

After surveying the evolution of 4GW, Hammes errs on the side of caution while speculating on the possible form that 5GW might take. Like John Robb, Hammes sees the potential for superempowered groups motivated by primary loyalties; as with Fred Ikle, the proliferation of potentially deadly dual-use technologies figures significantly. Like Chet Richards and Peter Singer, Hammes is interested in the growing role of PMCs.

In terms of alternative defense thought, Hammes has put up a solid, consensus-building, article. I think however, we may be reaching the stage where we need to try and envision the unexpected, in terms of the evolution of 5GW. Extrapolating linear trajectories from current military practice has been a fertile field for 4GW theory and for visualizing 5GW . I worry however that we (“we” meaning broadly all those think and care about such matters) are unwisely crafting a box of expectations for ourselves. Narrowly framing our premises inevitably creates a lacuna of inattention to other variables.

Perhaps, we need to consider a stage of scenario exercises mixing military theorists with experts from radically different domains, perhaps alongside some horizontal thinking visionaries, futurists and science fiction writers

ADDENDUM:

*ARHERRING* has extended commentary on Hammes at Dreaming 5GW ( Thank you for the correction, Curtis. Apologies to Arherring for my mistake).

RECOMMENDED READING

A (mostly) dual post edition:

Top Billing!: Dan of tdaxp – “Brave New War, Part I: The Future of War is Now” and “Review of “Before the Dawn” by Nicholas Wade“

The Strategist – ““Suppose we were an influence?” and “Do We Need Leaders Who Are Sunny Optimists?“

Simulated Laughter – “Fever Dream” and “Media As “Threat”

Rough Type – “The YouTube elite” and “Stabbing Polonius“

Done With Mirrors – “Do Us A Favor And Quit Already” and “After Iraq: Kurdish Option“

Soob – “Reflections on a Brave New World“

Recommended Viewing:

Conversations with History, featuring Andrew J. Bacevich

(I’m not frequently in agreement with Bacevich but he’s an influencer)