George H. Wittman: Writer on Current and Foreign Affairs

People involved in or merely interested in political  military affairs tend to think today's world is more complicated than ever before. Certainly, many examples  can be found in history that would refute the uniqueness  of today's world. It is true, however, that certain events and circumstances can be pointed to as having a  special, though not emphasized, place in world affairs. Many of these events have been lost in contemporary  history. One of the best examples of this phenomenon was the contact the American intelligence unit, Office of  Strategic Services (OSS), had with Ho Chi Minh in the summer of 1945.  An OSS team made up of one officer (Major Allison  Thomas) and two enlisted men parachuted into an area near the small village of Kim Lung in northern Vietnam. Others were to follow later. The code name for the mission was "Deer Team." Along with the Americans  were a French officer (Lt. Montfort) and two of his Vietnamese soldiers. ...

While American journalistic outlets are transfixed by domestic political issues, there is a near total lack of knowled ge or even interest in matters international. Perhaps this should be expected, but such self-preoccupation certainly keeps the nation in the dark regardin g the rest of the world. If external affairs do not explode, destroy, maim or otherwise have the potentiality of directly harming the United States, very little cov erage is given issues beyond our shores. This insularity accounts for the lack of the American public's interest i n one of the most disturbing circumstances of importance to our European allies - specifically the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union (EU). Hyper p artisanship has taken over the debate in the U.K. The traditional major divisions along the lines of Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat have given way, for  the most part, to the simplistic pro- or anti- Brexit. Even that term is confusing for Americans. "Bre...

Apparently, Kim Jong-un is trying once again to give the appearance he is willing to continue negotiations with President Trump on the "denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula. Of course the easiest explanation is that Kim is simply continuing his country's well known propaganda ploy of delaying serious movement by appearing to be willing to talk – while doing nothing more   than that. On the other hand, it may be more complicated. The timing of Kim's last attempt to project friendliness is important from an economic standpoint. It's the end of the agricultural growing season and DPRK planners are facing another Fall/Winter season of severe need for food importation to help with the usual annual shortcomings for the rest of the year lasting until late Spring. Kim needs to have the United States loosen its sanctions. Apparently, there has been an increase in sanction-breaking transshipment of petroleum products – sometimes directly and sometimes by off-loading...

Over thirty years ago Graham Benton wrote a study  sponsored by the National Institute for Security Affairs entitled, "The Character and Rationale of Modern  Terrorism." He stated, "Terrorism is the weapon of the weak against the strong --- the terrorist cannot achieve  military objectives directly, but must try to frighten or demoralize his opponent into giving way." Benton went  on to explain that, "The terrorist is a person engaged in committing such acts of intimidation as the primary  means of carrying out his struggle." This was true at that moment, but as time progressed terrorist operations and  the groups behind them have grown far more sophisticated and technically advanced. Armed with modern weapons provided by sponsoring nations, terrorists have become surrogates and even mercenaries in support of national interests of anti- Western countries. In addition is the sponsorship and  assistance of socio-religious ambitions of various sects. How...