Strategic thinkers are constantly in search of new fads or new themes to debate in the global balance of power.  That exercise keeps them stay connected the constantly changing dynamics of their profession.  However, one has to wonder at times how real or fictitious some of those debates really are.  In this realm, one latest fad is whether America is on the decline as the lone superpower and a global hegemon. 

What is fuelling this debate is not the fact that America is, indeed, waning.  What is preoccupying the proponents of America’s decline is the fact that a number of countries—most notably China and India—are making accelerated progress in catching up with the United States in the field of economic development, sustained growth, and industrialization.  Even though it is not as impressive as China and India, the European Union is also on the rise as an economic powerhouse.  The spectacular nature of those countries’ progress is fuelling the debate that they will not only catch up with the U.S., but some of them would also leave it behind.

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As Russia is prowling around Georgia, there seems to be some interesting evidence the Medvedev might become his own man. Here is an essay that underscores a genuine policy difference between PM Putin and President Medvedev for your reading and reflection:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121841206132928331.html?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks

Those of you who have followed the emergence of Russia's oligarchs and their downfall and, most important, Russia's energy policy, would enjoy reading this short essay.

A recent power point presentation on Africa Command.

Enjoy

AFRICA COMMAND (AFRICOM).ppt

A recent publication written for Comparative Strategy 

'Why the Long War Can and Cannot be Compared to the Cold War'

The phrase “long war” is being used be the Bush officials to describe the intricacy and obduracy of America’s ongoing struggle with the self-styled “global jihadists.” Even though there are some similarities between this concept and the concept of “Cold War,” the unique nature of the long war is making it difficult for the United States to develop an effective winning strategy. For the long war to conclude in America’s favor, both Iraq and Afghanistan have to be stabilized and have effective governments, which should be perceived as legitimate by their respective citizens. Unless this happens, the United States will not be able to turn the tide of the long war in its favor.

The new article is entitled "The Post-9/11 American Conundrum: How to Win the War of Ideas in the World of Islam." The article was published in the latest edition of Mediterranean Quarterly and describes the challenges of conducting a public diplomacy campaign in the Muslim world.

You can find it on the web at: http://mq.dukejournals.org/cgi/reprint/19/2/82

Abstract:

In America’s global war on terrori ...

The global counterterrorism (CT) community has been frequently accused of overstating the "threat potentials" in different regions of the world. For instance, the fact that Jamaae Islamiyya is on the defensive in Indonesia is not well-publicized at all. The insurgency in Thailand, according to some Thai officials, has been just that, an insurgency, not a terrorist movement at this point. The report below challenges the overall bloated threat perception among global CT experts.

Visiting the NATO School has always been a pleasant experience for me.
I have been going there over three years now.  At a personal level, it
is wonderful to live amidst the Alps for a few days.  It is such a stark
contrast from the Aloha land, which I eminently prefer.  However, I
can't stop thinking that Almighty God has created Bavaria during one of
his down days.  He took a lot of time in making sure that it becomes one
of the most scenic spots on this earth. 

On a professional level, my trip to NATO School is immensely gratifying,
since I get a chance to talk to the Iraqi officers.  Unlike all the
guest speakers (who are referred to as VIPs), I don't stay in five star
hotels.  I have made a point of staying with the Iraqis, so that I can
get quite a few opportunities to exchange views with them about Iraq,
Iran, and the entire ME region. 

The Iraqis are so intense in their feelings, in their judgment, and in
their assessment of everything that is part of their surrounding at a
given time.  They did not have a vote in choosing their country of
birth, but they show no bitterness toward anyone about what they and
their country has been going through since 1981, when Saddam Hussein
imposed the first war on them by attacking Iran.  They have suffered
under the Saddam's tyranny even before that calamity.  They continue to
suffer even today.  Even though they are living in a fledgling
democracy, they suffer from the ever-escalating spirals of sectarianism,
under which the Sunnis and Shias are killing each other because the
other side is not a &q ...