Category Archives: War

War Studies: The Annexation of Crimea, 2014

Posted on November 27, 2024 by odeboyz

The annexation of Crimea was a masterclass in strategic warfare. The transition from Ukraine to Russia was accomplished by subterfuge. Despite Ukrainian protests, the West metaphorically shrugged its shoulders. Putin had learned the lesson of 1939. Poland was partitioned by … Continue reading →

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Letter from the Occupied West Bank

Posted on November 24, 2024 by odeboyz

Dear all Not ‘waiting for Christmas’ kind of waiting though it will soon be advent but the desperate, frightened, overwhelmingly emotional  kind of waiting. I  managed to wait till I was walking down the hotel corridor to my bedroom before … Continue reading →

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War Studies: Bombing Gaza, 2023-24

Posted on November 20, 2024 by odeboyz

The Israeli bombing campaign is a strategic failure. Their air force generals recognise this. Yet the campaign is now in its second year. What’s going on? Claiming a bombing campaign is a strategic failure is bold. Why is their campaign … Continue reading →

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TV Review: The Great (Channel 4 catch-up) (Elle Fanning & Nicholas Hoult) (2020)

Posted on August 28, 2024 by odeboyz

If you are ‘of a certain age’ you’ll remember the Carry-On films. The Great is a vastly superior version of them. The ascendency of Catherine (the Great) is viciously satirised and turned into a costume romp. The series is turbo-charged … Continue reading →

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The Israeli Strategy in the Gaza War, October 2023 – August 2024

Posted on August 14, 2024 by odeboyz

Israel was humiliated by the Gazan incursion, which was the result of a major security failure by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). Gazans live, ‘in a prison camp’ designed to prevent just such an event.1 Israel controls the air space, … Continue reading →

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Britain’s £100bn Trident missile showing off

Posted on August 10, 2024 by odeboyz
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The Assassination of Anwar Sadat, 1981

Posted on July 31, 2024 by odeboyz

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 Perpetual war, endless war, or a forever war, is a lasting state of war with no clear conditions that would lead to its conclusion. Perpetual war – Wikipedia Israel was … Continue reading →

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P J O’Rourke’s Holidays in Hell (1988)

Posted on June 26, 2024 by odeboyz

“…Lebanon is notably free of tour groups and Nikon-toting Japanese. The beaches, though shell-pocked and occasionally mined, are not crowded. Ruins of historical interest abound; in fact, block most streets. Hotel rooms are plentiful. No reservation is necessary at even … Continue reading →

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Operation Barbarossa: The Road to Disaster

Posted on June 19, 2024 by odeboyz

Nazi Germany’s pre-1941 successes were unprecedented. They are epitomised by the 1939 diplomatic coup, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Treaty. The partition of Poland followed immediately. 1940 saw crushing victories in western Europe. Germany’s triumphs weren’t critically analysed by either the political or … Continue reading →

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The Gaza Strip: a brief history

Posted on June 5, 2024 by odeboyz

The British Mandate, 1920-48 Palestine was a British quasi-colony after receiving a mandate from the League of Nations. The League expected Britain to train Palestinians for government before the mandate ended in 1948. The plan was for transition to self-governing … Continue reading →

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