Does “Warfighting First” Put Ship-handling Second?

Well said:

http://nextnavy.com/does-warfighting-first-put-ship-handling-second/

E-mailing a Wrench

http://www.iflscience.com/space/how-nasa-emailed-wrench-space

Deeper thoughts on US-Cuba ripple effects...

http://www.stratfor.com/geopolitical-diary/united-states-and-cuba-begin-restoring-relations#axzz3MAquwobP

Commander Sal Makes Some Humbling Points

I grapple with this issue both in myself as well as in how I consider best ways to develop those folks in my charge.

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2014/12/st-vincent-de-paul-runs-awards-board.html

Networks of Knowledge: Three Steps to a Better Military Blogosphere

http://www.warcouncil.org/blog/2014/11/29/where-military-blogging-must-go-next-three-steps-to-true-value

Hey! I worked on this idea/project...

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/frying-pan-tower

On Writing — Medium

Ref a phone conversation I had recently

https://medium.com/@Doctrine_Man/on-writing-10c2f650109b

Cooperation when it counts

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-crews-join-search-for-crewmembers-from-capsized-trawler-in-bering-sea/2014/12/01/

Degraded by Dogs and Ponies

worthy of consideration, no matter your service

http://www.jqpublic-blog.com/degraded-dogs-ponies-lying-game-air-force-vip-culture/

Focus on the Western Hemisphere: A network approach

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/11/focus-on-the-western-hemisphere-a-network-approach/

The Golden Rule is Usually a Good Starting Point...

Embrace the Chaos

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/11/13/a_strategyless_nation_america_democrats_grand_strategy_foreign_policy

This is big data.

This is big data.
// FlowingData

A one-off tumblr that catalogs stock images that depict the tumultuous, rising sea of big data. Nice.

Still though, nothing beats Big Star Trek Data.

Wait...cities were built over things?

http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/11/san-francisco-is-painting-the-streets-with-historical-creeks/382655/

11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2014/11/11th-hour-of-11th-day-of-11th-month.html

Transatlantic flying: WOW throws a curve-ball | The Economist

----
Transatlantic flying: WOW throws a curve-ball | The Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2014/11/transatlantic-flying
----
Shared via my feedly reader

Tips for a staff office chief...

https://medium.com/@Doctrine_Man/what-would-dead-carl-do-bac23055713f

Worth pondering for the U.S. Coast Guard

What do we go over "lightly" in our folks' development?

http://cimsec.org/specialize-former-ran-cos-reflections-surface-warfare-officer-development/13305

A key member of the award-winning culinary team

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/11/recipe-for-success-fs2-ali-ganjour-2/

Interesting ripple effect

Http://gcaptain.com/bnsf-shale-focus-blunts-puget-sound-ports-comeback-bid/

The Super-Urban Promise

http://www.theawl.com/2014/10/the-super-urban-promise

On Geek Gentrification

Interesting on the specific topic, but also a good discussion of why gentrification feels wrong to early adopters of anything.

Http://www.overthinkingit.com/2014/10/28/gentrification-geek-culture/

Stratfor Excellence

http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/principle-rigor-and-execution-matter-us-foreign-policy#axzz3HMxjacJo

Titles, people! The Cheapest Generation? Really?

http://m.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/09/the-cheapest-generation/309060/

Good Insight Captured the Clever Titling (e.g. "Wild Kingdom Fallacy")

http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/discussing-the-continuities-of-war-and-the-future-of-warfare-the-defense-entrepreneurs-foru

Outstanding Insight From One Who Knows

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/10/23/10_important_lessons_for_america_s_diplomats_parting_thoughts_william_burns_state_department

Old Idea New Again?

http://theweek.com/article/index/269985/ban-powerpoint

A Tilting Lock? Brilliant!

http://gcaptain.com/this-tilting-lock-could-solve-traffic-problems-caused-by-movable-bridges/

Transportation networks, signage comparisons, nomadic wanderings, and a little snark...

The perfect post? Certainly high on the list

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/23/new-york-subway-homesick-london-underground-mta-map

(Declassified) CIA Bestiary of Intelligence Writing

A sample:

"Viable alternatives, nature's born troubleshooters, are moody and shy. They wander off when times are good because governments and officials tend to ignore them; when times are bad, officials are dismayed to discover that they don't have any."

http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/DOC_0000619161.pdf

Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell visits Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2246154/

Well, that may get people's attention...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/09/16/climate-expert-washington-d-c-faces-significant-risk-of-record-high-floods/

If your folks don't know of this...

http://jorules.wordpress.com/

Sticking with a theme...

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/how-millennials-spend/379713/

On the proper garb for traveling...

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/a_fine_whine/2014/09/dressing_up_for_air_travel_in_defense_of_looking_nice_on_a_flight_or_train.html

Ah yes, the continuum

http://warontherocks.com/2014/08/peace-and-war-the-space-between/#_

The nitty gritty of governance

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/08/28/roads_democracy_rwanda_kagame_mali

(Likely) My Final Arctic Security Forces Roundtable Post

Good job ASFR team!

http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/article/26802/us-and-norway-co-host-fourth-annual-arctic-security-forces-roundtable

it's not an excuse; it's not an excuse; It's not an ex...

I had some interesting internal dialogue/reflection while reading this piece

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/print/2014/08/the-procrastination-loop-and-how-to-break-it/379142/

Amateur GEOINT

http://qz.com/254405/kickstarter-funded-journalists-found-an-isil-training-camp-using-google-earth-and-bing-maps/#

If You Know Me...

http://online.wsj.com/articles/eurailing-around-europeas-an-adult-1408728102


Thanks EWW

Systemic Failure

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2014/08/cowpens-to-help-produce-movie-for.html

Learning from the Summer Wars of 2014

http://www.warcouncil.org/blog/2014/8/16/learning-from-the-summer-wars-of-2014

Stock Article - Senior Leader Social Media Use - until this gem...

"Twitter was his source for monitoring a pair of B-2s and F-16s approaching Osan Air Base, South Korea, last year during a spat between the U.S. and North Korea. The idea was for the aircraft to fly low enough near Osan to be photographed and for that news to circulate around the world through social media; thus indirectly, the flights became the show of force the U.S. intended."

That strikes me as exploring a concept for social media as a force multiplier (more of a force amplifier perhaps?).

http://www.airforcetimes.com/interactive/article/20140812/NEWS/308120051/Leaders-who-tweet-Savvy-see-social-media-tool-increase-understanding-military

Provocative, brief, article and a rebuttal

Wherever one finds themselves in this perspective - and I lean (although not entirely) toward the rebuttal based upon my experience - this exchange is a great example of the intellectual to-and-fro that we should seek from our personnel. Doctrine, strategy, and perspectives all can be developed from professional exchange such as this, and that exchange/development process is a good thing.

http://www.usni.org/print/32479

http://cimsec.org/is-there-a-military-millennial-problem-twelve-responses-to-cdr-darcie-cu

Plan B for Myanmar Opposition

Things to consider:

1. Is it appropriate to criticize a state for making their Constitution difficult (but not impossible) to change?
2. Personality-drive change often has the most traction, but how does that translate into enduring change?

http://news.yahoo.com/myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyis-party-crossroads-110005397.html

More on Civ-Mil Relations

https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/1ef74daf-ebff-4aa4-866e-e1dd201d780e/What-Military-Officers-Need-to-Know-about-Civil-Mi

Interesting Read Arguing the Need for a Military Professional Code

http://warontherocks.com/2014/08/a-new-american-military-ethic/

Tall Ship Drug Smugglers

http://gcaptain.com/spanish-sailors-turned-drug-dealers-busted-127-kilos-cocaine-aboard-tall-ship/

... Is destiny?

http://www.warcouncil.org/blog/2014/7/29/essay-campaign-15-geography-demographics-and-strategy-blessing-or-curse

A game-changer? Not the way it worked out...

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28439159

Thanks JM

An interesting approach...

http://nextnavy.com/what-is-chinas-view-of-americas-expanding-pacific-national-monuments/

Cruisin' the Northwest Passage!

http://gcaptain.com/luxury-cruise-line-plans-first-ever-voyage-through-famed-northwest-passage/

Maersk Tankers Explores 3D Printing Aboard Ships

http://gcaptain.com/maersk-tankers-explores-3d-printing-of-spare-parts/

http://gcaptain.com/time-lapse-video-shows-just-beatifully-orchestrated-port-operations-really/

The Indispensable Liberty Ship

http://gcaptain.com/indispensable-liberty-ship/

Longevity

http://tugster.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/longevity

A great write-up on the forward partnering concept. Although written from a Navy-centric perspective, consider how routinely forward deployed USCG cutters can and do conduct this mission.



http://warontherocks.com/2014/07/no-strategic-success-without-21st-century-seapower-forward-partnering/

Lunar Coincidence

http://www.ifweassume.com/2014/07/lunar-coincidence.html

The Culture Keeping Women Out of Tech

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-culture-keeping-women-out-of-tech-jobs/

Online Topo Maps!

http://caltopo.com

Thanks to AG

Communities vs. Networks

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/07/01/communities-vs-networks-to-which-do-you-belong/

Coast Guard’s deadly accidents

http://cironline.org/reports/coast-guard%E2%80%99s-deadly-accidents-highlight-lapses-safety-leadership-6486

A Coastie Monuments Men

http://m.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/monuments-men-a-baltimore-writer-learns-her-father-helped-in-the-search-for-nazi-plunder/2014/06/18/

Normal vs. paranormal distributions

http://flowingdata.com/2014/06/27/normal-vs-paranormal-distributions/

Duck vs. rabbit

http://flowingdata.com/2014/06/25/duck-vs-rabbit-plot/

OpenGeofiction

http://flowingdata.com/2014/06/16/opengeofiction-the-creation-of-an-imaginary-and-realistic-world/

BOUTWELL: Padres Jumbotron Video Clip

Bear in mind that I have not yet seen this...

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/344063/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-san-diego-padres-shout-out

Time flies slowly by

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2014/06/flight-entertainment

BIC Pens Create Universal Font From Crowdsourced Handwriting

http://www.psfk.com/2014/06/bic-universal-typeface.html

How Football Sounds To People That Don't Care. This Guy Nails It.

http://m.tickld.com/x/how-football-sounds-to-people-that-just-dont-care-T

Innovative Ideas through Wargaming

Fleet Battle School

http://cimsec.org/fleet-battle-school-innovative-ideas-wargaming/

Preventing House Fires - Cooking Hazards

http://www.eaglespeak.us/2014/06/disaster-prep-wednesday-preventing.html

Using open data to find the perfect home

http://flowingdata.com/2014/06/04/using-open-data-to-find-the-perfect-home/

5 facts you may not know about the Coast Guard at Normandy « Coast Guard Compass

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/06/5-facts-you-may-not-know-about-the-coast-guard-at-normandy/
--
Sent from my mobile

Coasties in Afghanistan

http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/BL-WB-46083

Cross-Cultural Small Talk

http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/05/one-reason-cross-cultural-small-talk-is-so-tricky/

Considerations as a leader modeling responsible consumption

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/05/22/how-a-man-drinks-responsibly-ask-these-3-questions/

Well, this is a bit depressing

http://m.newyorker.com/online/blogs/mariakonnikova/2014/05/why-do-people-persist-in-believing-things-that-just-arent-true.html

For all of you PowerPoint Rangers...

http://flowingdata.com/2014/05/21/military-infographic-fascination/

The Art buried within a transit system

http://www.humantransit.org/2014/05/looking-for-structure-the-metro-maps-of-jug-cerovic.html

Ideology is making America stupid

http://20committee.com/2014/05/17/ideology-is-making-america-stupid/

GlobalPost: Myanmar Emerges

An excellent series that looks at the reality of emerging from isolation.

http://www.globalpost.com/globalpost-myanmar-emerges

How New York City Would Officially Respond to a Godzilla Attack

http://www.theawl.com/2014/05/how-new-york-city-would-respond-to-a-godzilla-attack

Perimeter Defense

http://warontherocks.com/2014/05/perimeter-defense/

China - Philippines resource issues continued

http://gcaptain.com/chinese-fishermen-apprehended-350-dead-sea-turtles-philippines/

San Francisco Is Dead. Long Live San Francisco

You cannot go home again, but remember that the change is in you as much as in home...

http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/san-francisco-dead-long-live-san-francisco

The parent owner of the posting site is somewhat ironic given the topic.

How to Name a Ship

http://gcaptain.com/how-to-name-ship/

Improv As Practical Advice

You laugh, but these are useful skills.  I'm just saying...

http://improvnonsense.tumblr.com/post/83571259706/improv-as-practical-advice

3D Printing and Naval Implications

http://blog.usni.org/2014/04/23/providing-rapid-response-solutions-for-the-fleet-through-3d-printing

The Moderation Glitch

This describes some of the tendencies of staff life - unless you, and if you can, choose a different way.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/12/the-moderation-glitch.html


And a bonus link:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2005/11/understanding_l.html

SS United States

If you remember David Macaulay's books growing up...

http://www.ssusc.org/category/macaulay/

And a good overview of the current condition and saga:

http://gcaptain.com/ss-united-states-americas-flagship-historic-maritime-artifact-engineering-marvel/

A Journal Supporting Middle & High School Scientists

http://www.emerginginvestigators.org/

Crimea, Climate Change, and U.S.-Russian Relations: A Perfect Storm

http://gcaptain.com/crimea-climate-change-u-s-russian-relations-perfect-storm/

Mexico Seeks Quick Investment With Energy Reform Rules

http://gcaptain.com/mexico-seeks-quick-investment-energy-reform-rules/

The Ever Increasing Size of Godzilla

http://deepseanews.com/2014/05/godzilla/

Thx CS

How Ukraine Reflects the Current State of International Law

http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/5/international-lawrussiaukraineiraqinvasion.html

Nordic NATO Nominees?

http://cimsec.org/nordic-nato-nominees/

Now on Twitter

Now learn of new posts via Twitter - just follow me using the button to your right.

Thx AG

Ewok Hearts and Minds

https://medium.com/point-of-decision/87965b11771

Washington DC's first map of bars near the Metro

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/washington-dc/washington-dc-s-first-map-of-bars-near-the-metro

The Inner Workings of the Executive Brain - WSJ.com

I sense the pendulum of leadership and management writing is swinging to the other side.

For those familiar with staff chaos, the demonstration of impacts of short deadlines and uncertainty won't be surprising (but validating).

Thx EW

http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303725404579461722158151180?mg=reno64-wsj

The White Tourist’s Burden

http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/4/volunter-tourismwhitevoluntouristsafricaaidsorphans.html

For all you Powerpoint Warriors out there...

http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2014/04/no-amount-of-tech-will-make-a-bad-story-good.html

Nicely done

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-admiral-says-farwell-to-the-citizens-of-the-san-francisco-bay-area/2014/04/22/

Don't Be One of These

Naval War College Review article - written for wargame clients, but really applicable to anyone initiating a major project...

Your Boss, Players, and Sponsor;-The Three Witches of Wargaming

Voicemails From The Terrifying Future

An interesting approach to gaming insight into thoughts of the future; crowd-sourced creativity.

http://www.theawl.com/2014/04/voicemails-from-the-terrifying-future

Coastie in charge!

http://coastguardnews.com/us-coast-guardsman-steps-up-to-the-challenge-commands-us-navy-unit/2014/04/12/

Air National Guard Supporting USCG SAR Response

http://coastguardnews.com/california-air-national-guard-continues-rescue-effort/2014/04/05/

A rather riveting rescue

http://coastguardnews.com/a-night-like-any-other/2014/04/03/

Inequality Kills | Boston Review

A sobering look at how the quality of care can impact the wealth of a nation

http://www.bostonreview.net/us/stephen-bezruchka-inequality-kills

New York Public Library Online Map Collection

http://maps.nypl.org/warper/

What if a 777 went missing in the Arctic?

http://cryopolitics.com/2014/03/25/mh370-what-if-it-were-to-happen-in-the-arctic/

Russia and the United States Negotiate the Future of Ukraine | Stratfor

http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/russia-and-united-states-negotiate-future-ukraine

Change typeface, save $$$

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/27/living/student-money-saving-typeface-garamond-schools/index.html

'Irreversible collapse'? NASA study looks civilizations' records

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/14/nasa-civilisation-irreversible-collapse-study-scientists

Photos: Counter-Piracy Replenishment Hat Trick - gCaptain Maritime & Offshore News

http://gcaptain.com/photos-counter-piracy-replenishment-hat-trick/

NY Harbor Working Boats Interpreted

http://tugster.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/bowsprites-people-movers-and-more/

Congratulations CS

The National Fleet

Whenever I see articles on ship counts (or shipbuilding, etc.), the lack of integration aggravates me. Of course there are reasons, usually involving flavor of funding (and associated political capital), but still...

http://nextnavy.com/america-must-start-counting-the-national-fleet/

Helicopter Leadership

http://seanheritage.com/blog/helicopter-leadership/

Perhaps the sky is NOT falling re: Crimea - a longer-term perspective

http://warontherocks.com/2014/03/losing-our-marbles-as-putin-loses-at-chess-the-cold-war-is-over/

(includes a great map showing NATO enlargement over time)

No Such Thing as “Sustainable” Arctic Management?

http://coldreality.org/2014/03/arctic-sustainability/

Disasters Cost More Than Ever — But Not Because of Climate Change

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/disasters-cost-more-than-ever-but-not-because-of-climate-change/

Meet Cloak, the ‘antisocial’ network

http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/03/17/meet-cloak-the-antisocial-network-that-helps-you-avoid-people/

Talk of the town: Dontcha hear the S.F. lingo? - SFGate

http://m.sfgate.com/bayarea/nativeson/article/Talk-of-the-town-Dontcha-hear-the-S-F-lingo-5321219.php

Weather Buoys

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/weather-buoys-coast-guard-interview_106601/

We have met the enemy and he is us: A possible 4-step recovery program for PME

(PME = Professional Military Education)

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2014/03/11/we_have_met_the_enemy_and_he_is_us_a_possible_4_step_recovery_program_for_pme

Captain Poses For Epic Picture On Bow Of His Huge Ship

http://www.buzzfeed.com/richardhjames/captain-poses-for-epic-picture-on-bow-of-his-huge-ship

--
Sent from my mobile

How the Ukraine crisis ends - The Washington Post

http://m.washingtonpost.com/opinions/henry-kissinger-to-settle-the-ukraine-crisis-start-at-the-end/2014/03/05/46dad868-a496-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story.html

Engineering and the Humanities: The View from Patna’s Bridge… « USNI Blog

Great read, and a very astute Conrad reference.

http://blog.usni.org/2014/03/04/engineering-and-the-humanities-the-view-from-patnas-bridge

A History Lesson That Needs Relearning - NYTimes.com

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/sunday-review/a-history-lesson-that-needs-relearning.html

Russia admits that it has moved troops in Ukraine - Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10668357/Russia-admits-that-it-has-moved-troops-in-Ukraine.html

Dear Kremlin: Careful with Crimea

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/02/26/dear_kremlin_careful_with_crimea

Amtrak Writer's Residencies

And a nice use of Twitter to boot

Http://www.thewire.com/culture/2014/02/inside-amtraks-absolutely-awesome-plan-give-free-rides-writers/358332/

Sea Ice Atlas

http://seaiceatlas.snap.uaf.edu/

Thanks JM

BBC Mundo - Confirman captura de "El Chapo" Guzmán

Now this is a big deal...and of course Marina was on the case

http://m.bbc.co.uk/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2014/02/140222_mexico_ap_reporta_detienen_chapo_guzman

Another good Arctic reality check

(Even if they cannot get name of US Icebreaker POLAR STAR correct

http://isnblog.ethz.ch/international-relations/arctic-rhetoric

(Tip o' the hat to BS)

Links Fixed

Thanks to AG for pointing out the issue

JetStream - Online School for Weather

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/index.htm

Happiness "resilience"

Ponder the implications of this from a leadership, public policy, and (most importantly) personal perspective.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-18/noise-makes-people-unhappy-cancer-may-not.html
 

 

Are we growing the leaders that we say we want?

Note the citation of "hooah" as an all-purpose expression and as a perspective (neither necessarily in a good way)

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2012/08/sarah-lawrence-with-guns/

 

"This is very retro"

http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Feb/15/Orion-NASA-Navy-SanDiego/

A better appreciation

I abstractly understood what had happened, but seeing the actual sites of both of the Prague defenestration's makes quite an, um... impact

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenestration

 

Presidential Ships

http://gcaptain.com/vessels-named-for-presidents-of-the-united-states/

 

This sounds a bit familiar...

http://nextnavy.com/if-youre-not-thinking-about-the-antarctic-youre-not-thinking/

The Great Game Continues?

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2014/02/how-to-manage-afghanistan-courtesy-of.html

 

Telecoms+take-off

http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=821522066&Country=Myanmar&topic=Economy&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRogu67JZKXonjHpfsX94u0pWa6g38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YYCSMJ0aPyQAgobGp5I5FEPQrPYRK1jt6QEXw%3D%3D

 

Strategic Architectures

http://cimsec.org/strategic-architectures/

The Bounty, Sandy and Storm Avoidance Techniques.

http://kennebeccaptain.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-bounty-sandy-and-storm-avoidance.html

British forces' century of unbroken warfare set to end with Afghanistan exit

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/11/british-forces-century-warfare-end

Arctic infrastructure cannot keep pace

http://blogs.dw.de/ice/?p=14855

Who knew?

http://chipotle.de/

A Point of View: Why I don't tweet

Http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26066325

Hat tip JM

The Chinese Coast Guard to Build World's Largest Offshore Patrol Vessel

http://cimsec.org/chinese-coast-guard-build-worlds-largest-offshore-patrol-vessel/

A Crisis in Command and the Roots of the Problem — The Bridge — Medium

https://medium.com/the-bridge/80dfcfd7fd49

Bateman On Rape In Military - Why Combatting Rape In The Military Is A Duty Like Any Other - Esquire

A very sobering piece - an important read for every leader

http://www.esquire.com/_mobile/blogs/politics/bateman-on-rape-in-military-020714

Geographic Adventures in Diplomacy

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2014/01/state-department-maps/

How could I not?

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2014/02/fullbore-friday.html

Engaging Myanmar’s Navy

http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/engaging-myanmars-navy/

A New Arctic Primer

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC/2014/WEF_GAC_Arctic_DemystifyingArtic_Report_2014.pdf

A Blend of Think Tanks Develops a Semi-Consensus

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2014/02/the-think-tanks-have-spoken.html

Corvettes Get a Little Love

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2014/02/corvettes-belong-in-surface-force.html

Political Geography Now: 2013: The Year in Political Geography Changes

http://www.polgeonow.com/2013/12/2013-year-in-political-geography-changes.html

David Macaulay Reflects on the SS United States | SS United States Conservancy

http://www.ssusc.org/david-macaulay-reflects-on-the-ss-united-states/

Conference Call Hygiene

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/01/conference-call-hygiene.html

Op-Ed: Is Strategy Really A Lost Art?

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/index.cfm/articles/Is-Strategy-Really-A-Lost-Art/2013/09/13

Finally, a transit post

For Bus Riders, Real-Time Arrival Data Is More Important Than Better Service - Emily Badger - The Atlantic Cities http://feedly.com/k/LTpH2L
--
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

An outstanding bit of snark

----
China Signs 10-year Contract to "Ignore" LCS
// Center for International Maritime Security

Air Force cargo planes sent to boneyard get new missions

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/1b-in-air-force-cargo-planes-sent-to-boneyard-get-new-missions-1.263134

Timeline of the far future

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140105-timeline-of-the-far-future

Italian Navy Rescues Over 1000 Migrants in 24 Hours

http://gcaptain.com/marina-militare-italian-navy-rescues-migrants/

Maersk Line Triple-E LEGO Set Hits the Shelves

http://gcaptain.com/maersk-line-triple-e-lego-kit-on-sale-now/

Point Nemo Wood Map

http://dougmccune.com/blog/2013/12/28/point-nemo-wood-map/

(Thanks AG...yes, I am now going to explicitly acknowledge when sourced)

The Geopolitics of the Gregorian Calendar

From Stratfor

http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/geopolitics-gregorian-calendar

The gruesomeness of the drug trade rivals any atrocities in history.

Some sobering perspective on the damage of the trafficking industry (note: photos are somewhat graphic)

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/12/cocaine_trafficking_horrors_users_are_complicit_in_the_atrocities_of_the.single.html