The Evolving Threat
Cybercrime has historically been associated with scams focused on stealing money from vulnerable people. Although these sorts of scams and electronic thefts still occur daily, the threat landscape for cyber-attacks is evolving rapidly. Nation-state threats against western interests have increased exponentially in the last five years, driven by new technology and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).
Never Forget
In the space of less than two hours on a beautiful, bright, sunny Tuesday morning, the US was thrust into a new war. At 8:46 am on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11, from Boston to Los Angeles crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
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The events of 9/11/01 were the largest attack against the US since the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor in 1941, and the most destructive single act of terrorism in history. The responsibility for masterminding, planning, organizing, and executing the operation lay with members of Al Qaeda (the Base). The extremist Islamic group had spent years organizing, coordinating, and conducting terrorist attacks on western interests, particularly the US, since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
Declaring and Securing Independence
The Declaration of Independence is rightly celebrated as the foundational document for the rights of all free people. However, it was merely a document formalizing the dedication of the colonists to secure freedom and independence from overbearing British rule.
The lessons from 1775
The Battle of Bunker Hill provided several lessons for the Continental Army and George Washington. The main lesson of the battle was that the militiamen and minutemen of the colonies could stand toe-to-toe against the largest, best equipped, and most well-trained army in the world.
The Legacy of the Commandos
Commandos fought in every theater and in nearly every allied army during WWII. The legacy of the commandos extends to the modern-day Special Forces, Rangers, SAS, SBS, and other specialized units in nearly every standing army. Several of the most highly decorated soldiers of the war were commandos. The SOE and OSS led directly to the development of the CIA and influenced the future of MI5 and MI6 in Great Britain.
Persia, Iran, and the Great Game
The Islamic Revolution of 1979 changed the calculus of international relations across the middle east. Fundamentalist philosophy dominating the new Iran created an enmity between the west and Iran that persists.
Human Weakness
History is replete with human conflict. Territorial disputes, vanquishing new lands, enslaving neighbors, lust for gold and other treasures drive the desire for conquest. In many conflicts, the victor is determined by having a larger army, better weapons, or more skilled battlefield leaders. In other cases, the winner is determined through subterfuge, deception, traitors, or espionage.