Category Archives: War

Donald Rumsfeld and the philosophy of war: Iran 2026

“….we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Donald Rumsfeld’s philosophic insights and Iran

Rumsfeld’s *Known, Knowns* speech goes down in history as one of the greatest statements of warfare. In just a few lines he demonstrated that all war is a gamble. This podcast uses those words to analyse the Iranian war in … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Philosophy, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sir Francis Drake’s Piracy and 400 years of Compound Interest

For I trace the beginnings of British foreign investment to the treasure which Drake stole from Spain in 1580. In that year he returned to England bringing with him the prodigious spoils of the Golden Hind. Queen Elizabeth was a considerable … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, statistics, War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Putin’s magic wears off: 2016 the Donbas

The 2014 attack on the Crimea was an overwhelming success. Putin’s advisors fell over themselves to say that he was a genius and naturally he believed them. In 2016 Russia attack the eastern Ukrainian region, the Donbas. This is populated … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bob Paisley’s European Cup Team Talk: 1977

In the dressing room, Paisley reminded the Liverpool players that the last time he’d been in Rome was in a tank at the end of the Second World War. Source Jon SpurlingGet It On (2022) p217

Posted in Autobiography, History, Sport, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Three successful invasions

The attack on Iran in February2026 was a classic example of how not to conduct a war. It is often said that History teaches nothing. Well on this occasion that disparaging remark is utterly wrong. There are three excellent examples … Continue reading →

Posted in podcast, Politics, War | Leave a comment

Warfare changed forever

The Iran War and the Ukraine War have changed warfare forever. This means that the entire arms Industry is now obsolete. The F-35 costs about $70m each and they are useless in the current war environment. British contracts for new … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Science, Technology, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Israel loses the Iranian War: podcast

The Iranian war seems to be ending. This is a short (3 minute) discussion of the possibility that Israel is the principal loser politically speaking. They had pre-eminent status in Washington prior to Feb 28th 2026 but it has waned. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Trump’s Foreign Policy is *Normal*

Trump is not an exceptional in his foreign policy. He is normal. The USA has spent trillions of dollars trying to impose their will on countries round the world. The litany of shame began in Iran in 1953, then Vietnam, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Might is Right: Podcast

The Iranian war is raging but 7500 miles away Cuba is starving. The USA is using the Medieval tactic of starvation to achieve regime change. This is a *Crime against humanity* but, of course, it doesn’t count because a superpower … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment