Rendition, MI6 and CIA

The attention that this story is getting in the UK is absurd. The British equivalent of the CIA, SIS (commonly known as MI6), are being investigated for potential criminal charges for their purported treatment of Belhadj. The problem with this is that the precedent it is setting will be fundamentally prohibitive to aggressive intelligence operations. Intelligence officers need the latitude and capability to pursue and defeat terrorist networks. In my opinion, rendition is not only lawful but also beneficial. It allows terrorists to be removed from action and placed into custody for productive interrogation. Torture is and ought to be illegal. However, when intelligence officers are faced with a situation in which an important target is operating in a state that lacks a credible judiciary, those officers must be able to take steps to address the threat. If rendition is illegal, the only prospective option would be to allow the target to stay in operation. If a couple of years down the line this target is involved in a terrorist attack.. then what do/would people say? Governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens and they must do so.

I hope that no charges are brought against the SIS officers in this case. From an American perspective, I am grateful that US intelligence agencies are able to aggressively confront our adversaries. The reason there is so much uproar about rendition in the UK is that the UK largely sees its counter-terrorism operations as an extension of criminal investigations. Conversely, the US is at war with Al Qa'ida and its ideological affiliates and so we are able to take more decisive action. Counter-Terrorism operations (as with any intelligence operations) are born of choices. The choice to investigate a target, the analysis of the threat and the decision to take or to not take action. The US learned on 9/11 that focused, aggressive action is necessary to protect our country. It might not be pleasant, but our adversaries are capable of extraordinary evil.

I have previously written on the risks that the UK investigation of SIS poses for future US-UK intelligence co-operation - http://www.tomroganthinks.com/2011/12/intelligence-relationship-between-us-uk.html

Photo - World Trade Center (Emporis)

Racial Tensions in America

The arrest of two men (shortly to be charged) in connection with the Friday shootings in Oklahoma is welcome news. If it turns out that these individuals were indeed motivated by a racist agenda, in the context of the recent Trayvon Martin incident, some will suggest that racial tensions in America are increasing. I would disagree. While it is true that there have been heavily reported stories of both white and black racial extremists increasing their public activity, these groups represent marginal elements of American society. Most Americans (Republican and Democrat) care little for whether someone is black or white. The President is black and for a while during the current Republican presidential primary, the front runner was a black man (who gained most of his support from the supposedly racist tea party). Regardless, while it is likely that racists will attempt to manipulate the Oklahoma/Trayvon incidents for their own agendas, these individuals will be unable to translate their energy into any substantial political effect. Why? Because for most Americans, the racist agenda is fundamentally un-American. Put simply, images like this one will result in far more laughs than they will recruits to an extremist banner. Ultimately, people like Lloyd Austin and Muhammed Khan are the kind of individuals that attract national respect.

Racists will not be able to take America back in time. A powerfully illustrative photo below.. A white Secret Service agent reaches protectively towards the President as he greets a largely African-American crowd. America has changed for the better.

(White House Photo- Pete Souza)

USMC and Civilian Control of the Military

This US Marine Corps hearing was right to recommend separation for Sgt. Gary Stein. While Stein has honored himself by his service (which included deployment to Iraq), civilian control over the military must always take precedence when the relationship of the two are brought into question. When Stein took his oath, he agreed to be bound by the lawful authority of his commander in chief (the President). In making this commitment, he and all those who wear the uniform accepted that their personal freedom (of speech, of choice and if necessary, of life) would be submitted to the service and (through the President) the authority of the American people. This level of willing sacrifice is one of the things that makes American military service so noble. Whatever Stein's feelings towards the President, it was not his place to make those feelings known. When he did so, he directly challenged his chain of command and indirectly challenged the institution of the US Military as fundamentally servient to democratic authority. Military efficacy requires that the chain of command and the authority attached in that chain are unquestioned. David Petraeus has made clear his own understanding of the critical importance of this dynamic.

Without a civilian led military, the American people would live at the whim of the most powerful military force in history. Clearly, this would present a toxic recipe in which the very essence of the Constitution would be placed in jeopardy. From the Civil War to Korea to Afghanistan, necessary precedence has shown that the President is the final master of American military force. Albeit at a low level, Sgt. Stein's actions publicly questioned this principle and as such could not be tolerated by the USMC.

Hezbollah and Syria

The NYTimes carries an article that outlines the legitimacy challenge that Hezbollah is facing as a result of its continued support of Assad.

I previously predicted (and predict) that this increasing challenge to Hezbollah's cross sectarian legitimacy would ultimately mean that the group moves away from Assad.

Photo Credit- World Security Network

KSM faces trial

The formal approval for KSM and his 9/11 compatriots to be tried under military commission is welcome and long overdue news. These men are believed responsible for the largest act of terrorism in US history. In addition, their reported connections to other plots include the attack on the USS Cole. Contrary to the claims of some, these military commissions are the appropriate domain for the trial. The commissions will protect the defendants from the prospect of being tried on tainted evidence (evidence that may have come from torture) and will ensure that they receive vigorous legal defense teams. Further, being accused of acts of war against the United States, it is necessary that the US Military judicial system and not the domestic civilian court system be fixed as the authority governing trial. 

The pursuit of justice requires that these men stand trial. All Americans should be relieved at this news.

Romney Wins Big

Romney got it done last night. He won DC, MD and WI and he did so in a way that firmly consolidated his position among the more conservative elements of the Republican Party. This was an important trend that illustrates his confident position as the presumptive nominee. Republicans now understand that Romney is the only candidate who can successfully challenge the President on the economy and the debt in a general election campaign. Romney now needs to do three things.

1) Focus on running against Obama and not Santorum. 

2) Have a dedicated plan for responding to and challenging the scare stories that the Democrats will shortly begin to air against him.

3) Focus on the dual track issue of the national debt and the economy relentlessly.

The Audacity of Obama

Sadly, this President never ceases to amaze me. He came to power saying that he would be the post-partisan President. The President who would 'change' Washington DC. In fact, he has turned out to be one of the most partisan Presidents since the end of World War 2. After absolutely failing to create a budget that has any attachment to reality and after failing to engage in a constructive bi-partisan process to resolve America's debt crisis, Obama has reverted to waging class warfare against Republicans. Paul Ryan's budget was an honest starting point for negotiations and contrary to Democratic scare tactics, the only budget that actually saves medicare/social security for future generations. Crucially also, unlike the President's budget, Ryan's sums add up. Yet, Obama accuses him of wanting to wage 'social darwinism'.

The difference between this Obama and this Obama could not be more pronounced. 

It is now evident that the President only cares about re-election. For Obama, bi-partisan engagement is not an ambition, but instead is a tedious side show that stands obstructively in his path.

Colombia and FARC

The Colombian Govt's effective counter-insurgency effort against FARC is again reaping dividends. The US should be proud of the role that we have played pushing FARC onto the back foot. FARC used to control significant portions of Colombian territory. From these safe havens, the group waged terrorist aggression against the Colombian people and constructed a lucrative narco-terrorism empire which used extortion, kidnapping and murder to maintain and extend its grip of power (hilariously FARC regard themselves as Marxists). Since 2002 however, along with extensive US govt. support (albeit often covert and of an intelligence nature), the Colombian govt. has aggressively pursued FARC and captured or killed many of the group's senior/middle leadership. Now, due to a sound strategy and strong political leadership, Colombia has brought a once incredibly powerful terrorist group to its knees. Colombia is now a stable, confident democracy with a increasingly powerful economy.

Primary Races - DC, MD, WI

Politico has a good piece on today's Republican primaries in DC, Maryland and Wisconsin. The key point for tonight... if Santorum does not win Wisconsin (which he is unlikely to do), there will be increasingly significant pressure placed on him by other Republicans to end his campaign. Santorum claims that he is the candidate for mid-west blue collar workers.. If he fails to win Wisconsin, then his narrative will be blown apart. 

 At this point, the continuing primary only helps President Obama. Santorum should get out of the race and Republicans should consolidate behind Mitt Romney.

Coast Guard Rescue/Romney

Military capability takes money and training. Because other nations go cheap on military spending, ONLY the US could pull this off.

+ Tuesday's Wisconsin Republican Primary will show that Santorum is finished. Romney is the Republican candidate for the Presidency.