London: To hear the anguished cries of critics of the Obama administration’s defense plans, one would think the nation is disarming.  We are told that at a projected end strength of 450,000 active duty Army personnel, ground forces will be headed to pre-World War II levels.  The Navy, with some 290 ships or less, will be down to the size of the pre-World War I fleet.  Is the sky falling? Unfortunately, the first complaint is misleading.  And the second dismisses the fighting power of today’s Navy. Worse, the real dangers to the future size and capability of the U.S. military are entirely ignored. Regarding the size of ground forces, America [...]

Next Tuesday, America goes to the polls to elect all manner of officials from city counsel person and sheriff to members of Congress.  Congressional and gubernatorial races have of course attracted national attention.  While the House of Representatives will remain firmly in Republican hands, the future control of the Senate is uncertain. Both parties predict that should they lose or win the Senate, the future of the nation is at stake.  Unfortunately, whether Republicans win or Democrats maintain Senatorial control, it will make little difference.  The political system is badly broken and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men cannot repair it. Interestingly, control of the Senate races [...]