Category Archives: War

War Studies: The Importance of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, 21st October 1805

The British Empire was founded on the Royal Navy and Nelson’s triumph at Trafalgar sealed British naval supremacy. The importance of Trafalgar was that it brought naval and global domination for 136 years. Naval supremacy transformed Britain into ‘The policeman … Continue reading

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War Studies: Bombing Japan, 1945

In March 1945 the USA bombed Tokyo. They used incendiary bombs on a wooden city purposefully creating an inferno. The Japanese didn’t surrender. In August ‘A’ bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Pacific War ended shortly afterwards. “Bombs … Continue reading

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Douglas Adams on War

“Luckily they lived even further back in Galactic Time….when the Galaxy was young and fresh and every idea worth fighting for was a new one.” Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) p144

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War Studies: The Annexation of Crimea, 2014

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

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

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)

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

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

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The Assassination of Anwar Sadat, 1981

“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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