14 June 2007

Thomas Barnett's bracing talk on the future of war, on TED.com

Strategic planner Thomas P.M. Barnett has advised US leaders on national security since the end of the Cold War. In this bracingly honest -- and very funny -- talk, Barnett outlines a solution for the foundering US military: Break it in two. One half makes war, and the other half builds the peace that follows. Spontaneous applause and a standing ovation underscore what Barnett said on his blog: "Probably the best 20 minutes of speaking I have ever done." (Recorded February 2005 in Monterey, CA. Duration: 23:53) Read Thomas Barnett's profile on TED.com

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Watch this talk on TED.com where you can download it, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances.

Technorati tags: Afghanistan, military, Pentagon, Thomas Barnett, war

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Discuss Blog Post

Frank Hartline – January 18 2008

Dr Barnett's original strategic thinking is always insightful. He deftly describes the globalizing world and our increasingly complex security requirements in the 21st Century. Going from description to prescription, however, his black and white or, if you prefer, red and blue world crumbles. He continues to chase the chimera of Pax Americana - keeping the world safe for democracy by even more guns and butter for the empire. Our experiences in Iraq should have taught us by now that this is, to use ADM Sharpe's term for Vietnam, a Strategy For Failure.
Phil Knight – June 16 2007

A manifesto for empire building; sick, sick, sick, sick!