Comments on: Hell’s First Cousin https://www.isegoria.net/2011/06/hells-first-cousin/ From the ancient Greek for equality in freedom of speech; an eclectic mix of thoughts, large and small Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:48:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 By: Isegoria https://www.isegoria.net/2011/06/hells-first-cousin/comment-page-1/#comment-271461 Isegoria Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:13:27 +0000 http://www.isegoria.net/?p=25201#comment-271461 I believe that Lind would agree with the notions that (a) we should stop sending soldiers into guerrilla wars they’re not prepared for, and (b) we should stop preparing soldiers for guerrilla wars rather than “real” wars. I don’t think he would recommend training a second force for police actions and nation-building though, because he considers that kind of thing futile. Mencius Moldbug would likely add that the futility comes from our lack of will to grasp the nettle and truly rule those regions we want to pacify.

]]> By: Doctor Pat https://www.isegoria.net/2011/06/hells-first-cousin/comment-page-1/#comment-270672 Doctor Pat Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:16:54 +0000 http://www.isegoria.net/?p=25201#comment-270672 On the other hand, Barnett’s strategy — rather than his strategic goal — sounds completely compatible with the referred to work of Martin van Creveld. Namely, that there are low-intensity, guerrilla conflicts that shade into police actions and nation building. And there are also conventional, tank columns and jet fighters-style wars. And the army that is trained and equipped to deal with one is unsuited to the other.

Hence, Barnett’s idea that you should stop sending soldiers into wars they aren’t suited for, and you should not compromise your preparation and end up with troops suited for neither situation, but you should just have two different forces. That way you aren’t sending tanks against teenagers throwing rocks, and you aren’t sending youth workers against tanks.

If you are going to go around fighting wars — a big if, I’ll admit — then it’s better to not be an idiot about it.

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