[tw]

Urbane Guerrilla repeatedly praised Thomas Barnett's book. Ironically Barnett preaches concept that were contrary to the neocon agenda. Found in Barnett's books are concepts similar to George Sr's new world order. A concept that neocons feared as if the UN would conquer and occupy America (a worst case fear expressed by neocons such as the Michigan Militia). Also expressed are William Edwards Deming's concepts of 14 points and seven deadly sins. Concepts of quality that define leadership and "85% of all problems are directly traceable to ..."

In his new book he delivers “the seven deadly sins of Bush-Cheney” (lust, greed, pride, etc.), as well as a “12-step recovery program for American grand strategy

The need for Phase Four planning that George Jr's administration so ridiculed (see A Quite Transformation).

"Stabilization and reconstruction missions must become a core competency of both the Departments of Defense and State. The military services need to reshape and rebalance their forces to provide a stabilization and reconstruction capability."

To be introduced to and appreciate Barnett and his book "The Pentagon’s New Map", see the NY Times of 10 Feb 2009 entitled U.S. as Parent to Countries in Their Teens .

Mr. Barnett suggests … “we’re playing against ‘younger’ versions of ourselves in many instances.” He counsels a kind of parental Zen patience.

which obviously contradicts UG’s solution by aggression. Barnett is not easy to read. His concepts are challenging. However

it is hard to disagree with his nonfoxy observation that “the world desperately wants America back.”

We did not do this in Afghanistan. The consequences are now called “the Long War”. Should you think Iraq was difficult, well, welcome to Afghanistan. Gen Shinseki accurately noted how many troops were necessary for victory in Iraq - a number rejected by an administration without respect for the military – a number based upon the number of civilians – 25 million. And that in a nation with geography ideal for the American military.

Afghanistan is a nation of 24 million, and now with a decidedly negative opinion of Americans. We did not do the phase four planning as Barnett defined. So now we must refight the war all over again AND overcome the negative impression created by no phase four planning. The majority clearly no longer trust Americans - as demonstrated in polls limited mostly to the big cities where support should be strongest.

We did exactly what Barnett and fundamental military doctrine both say do not do. As most everyone who must deal with this nut says (Petraeus, Holbrook, Odiero, etc), if you thought Iraq was tough, wait till you see what we have created in Afghanistan. A problem made worse by trying to force democracy on them rather than using ‘Zen’.