Robert L. Terrell

US Leadership Problems As Far As the Eye Can See

The more I survey the cast of largely uninspired characters who inhabit perches at the peaks of the most important power centers in the United States, the more deeply I am concerned the nation’s fate. I am not asserting that too many of them are corrupt, venal or criminal, though it is quite obvious [...]

Back to Basics:

You may have noticed that I have been away for awhile. This was due to several factors, the most important being the fact that I had the site comprehensively remodeled in order to make it more convenient for me to post photo galleries and other material. I have also been on sabbatical for [...]

Obama's Unnecessary Militarism Has Critically Crippled His Wobbly Presidency

I suspect that few of those who have closely watched President Barack Obama’s actions since he took office were surprised by his announcement last night that he intends to send 30,000 new troops to Afghanistan. If nothing else, the length of time it took for him to make the decision was a clear indication [...]

The U.S. Ruling Class Needs to Upgrade its Performance or Move Aside

Like most U.S. citizens, I am prone to go long stretches of time without thinking much about the ruling class. This is due to several factors, the most important being the highly sophisticated phalanx of barriers used by members of the clan to hide their prodigious wealth, unmatched power, and pervasive influence, from [...]

Afghanistan, the U.S. and the Lure of Atavistic, Imperial, Military Prowess

I have had the good fortune to live for long periods of time in Third World settings that I believe provide me important insights into the strategic military dilemma Afghanistan poses for the United States and its allies. The first, and most important, dimension of the situation that everyone needs to grasp regarding this [...]