Columbus, Ohio
I have long respected Bob Gates. I believe our Defense Secretary to be an effective leader. I had the honor of hosting him several times at the World Affairs Council of Boston and he strikes me as a decent, reasonable guy. How far have we dipped, however, to be told by Secretary Gates that, “over the long term, the United States cannot kill or capture its way to victory.” No kidding! The national security lessons are pretty rudimentary these days when somebody of Gates’ caliber has to remind us what a college freshman learns in any basic foreign policy survey course. Chalk it up as yet another reminder of how far down the Bush Administration propelled us.
In the latest issue of Foreign Affairs (January/February 2009), Gates echoes J. Anthony Holmes’ sentiments (below) that much greater balance is needed between defense and diplomacy. He wrote that “we should be modest about what military force can accomplish and what technology can accomplish.” Yes, but try telling that to the civilian defense decision-makers who think, somehow, that war can be made clinical and antiseptic. Far from it! Gates understands, as he writes, that “war is inevitably tragic, inefficient, and uncertain and it is important to be skeptical of systems analyses, computer models, game theories, or doctrines that suggest otherwise.” War is human. In fact, it is among the lowest common denominators of human existence.
p.s. There is a good reason why Food and Wine Magazine once named Lorenzo Savona the Best Sommelier in Boston. We first knew of his outstanding taste back when he owned Les Zygomates in Boston. He is now wine director and co-owner of the superb Tomasso Trattoria where, last Friday night, he introduced me to a new Super Tuscan. The 1999 Flaccianolla della Pieve from the Fontodi Estate is 100 percent Sangiovese grape and absolutely superb. Try some.
I have long respected Bob Gates. I believe our Defense Secretary to be an effective leader. I had the honor of hosting him several times at the World Affairs Council of Boston and he strikes me as a decent, reasonable guy. How far have we dipped, however, to be told by Secretary Gates that, “over the long term, the United States cannot kill or capture its way to victory.” No kidding! The national security lessons are pretty rudimentary these days when somebody of Gates’ caliber has to remind us what a college freshman learns in any basic foreign policy survey course. Chalk it up as yet another reminder of how far down the Bush Administration propelled us.
In the latest issue of Foreign Affairs (January/February 2009), Gates echoes J. Anthony Holmes’ sentiments (below) that much greater balance is needed between defense and diplomacy. He wrote that “we should be modest about what military force can accomplish and what technology can accomplish.” Yes, but try telling that to the civilian defense decision-makers who think, somehow, that war can be made clinical and antiseptic. Far from it! Gates understands, as he writes, that “war is inevitably tragic, inefficient, and uncertain and it is important to be skeptical of systems analyses, computer models, game theories, or doctrines that suggest otherwise.” War is human. In fact, it is among the lowest common denominators of human existence.
p.s. There is a good reason why Food and Wine Magazine once named Lorenzo Savona the Best Sommelier in Boston. We first knew of his outstanding taste back when he owned Les Zygomates in Boston. He is now wine director and co-owner of the superb Tomasso Trattoria where, last Friday night, he introduced me to a new Super Tuscan. The 1999 Flaccianolla della Pieve from the Fontodi Estate is 100 percent Sangiovese grape and absolutely superb. Try some.