Author Archives: Crispin Burke

As a result of recent changes and site maintenance, I seem to be missing a number of posts over about a one-year period, many of which were mine, and possibly hundreds of posts from my esteemed co-blogger, Courtney. Help would … Continue reading →

I really didn’t want to knock on the US Air Force…they’ve had a bad week.  First, we re-visited the unfortunate incident in which a C-17, bound for MacDill AFB, accidentally landed on a much smaller runway 4 1/2 miles away. … Continue reading →

In case you missed Major Jonathan A. Bodenhamer’s missive at Small Wars Journal, let me summarize it for you, dear readers:  Contrary to the claims (his word, “propaganda”) of Army senior leaders, the US Army would benefit from more officers … Continue reading →

I’ve been ardently striving to avoid the turmoil surrounding the recent ban on Vibram Five Finger shoes.  That’s no exaggeration, either.  Yours truly has proven most recalcitrant in the face of pressure to compose a blog post about this issue: … Continue reading →

Finally, as I was contemplating this moment, I thought about something my wife Becky told me in January 2005, when I was asked to be the first Director of National Intelligence.  I was really wrestling with the decision and finally … Continue reading →

Just when I was sick of the hype surrounding Shi Lang, China’s first attempt at naval aviation, I discovered that Russia is working towards building its first nuclear-powered carrier, capable of sustained operations at sea, by 2023. Yawn. This is, of … Continue reading →

A baffling DoD statement regarding the attack on Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel reminded me, ever-so-eerily, of boasts of an “insurgency in its last throes” from the Iraq War in 2005.  Just replace “Iraq” with “Afghanistan” during this exchange with former White … Continue reading →

Abraham Rash, a fellow classmate from my college days, weighs in a post compiled entirely on his iPhone.  That might not be as hard-core as capturing a British fort on Christmas morning, but it’s pretty damn close. Take it away, Abe: According … Continue reading →

We’ve all reveled in the antics of anthropomorphic Drunken Predators and Party Reapers, chatting on Skynet as if it were their personal frat house.  And who could forget that wayward Raven, vainly Tweeting away in a gratuitous cry for male attention?  Or even her … Continue reading →

Petriv, who hails from Finland, nominated Risto Ryti in the official WOI strategy contest.  Though not as famous (or infamous) as Napoleon, Talleyrand, or Metternich; Ryti is still a notable choice, based on his perspicacity, staving off encroachment by both Germany and the … Continue reading →