all 6 comments

[–]privatejoker11 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

First part (crony-capitalist triumph) is accurate, second part (strategic error) is not. Because the American war industry complex doesn't want or need to "win" wars. They don't need stealth fighters to blast villagers to Kingdom Come. As with everything in America, image is everything. Their aim is to dazzle the public with techno-bullshit while bankrupting them for many generations hence.

Of course in another sense, it is a strategic error. While the US MIC is masturbating with these idiotic boondoggles, their strategic rivals are perfecting much less costly response solutions. Examples are dense and effective air defense systems, inexpensive coastal defense boats, robust air fighters that are operable in a wide variety of conditions, survivable in combat, and serviceable with readily available spare parts, not dependent on ultra-complex supply chains. Not to mention plenty of artillery, ever-better tanks and mechanized infantry, tasked with defending their own borders and operating well within reasonable logistical limits, as opposed to lobbing cruise missiles at phantom jihadists in caves from aircraft carriers safely stationed thousands of kilometers away.

But yeah, as mentioned above, "strategic error" implies they give a shit about their country being victorious in the first place.

[–]Marginotions[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

strategic

error

My understanding and intended meaning of 'strategic error' means from the point of view of the national interest, national meaning We the People, not a special interest group (MIC). MIC is an enormous muck-up, not only in their product line (discussed herein), but in their marketing strategies (corruption, which deserves a conjugate post in s/corruption). I like your description, tho, privatejoker11.

I've started writing a short essay on better weapons systems and procurement methods based on modular design. Not sure where to post it, does not belong here; maybe s/futurology? Want me to send you a note when it's ready?

[–]privatejoker11 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

Yes

[–]Marginotions[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

[–]privatejoker11 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Although ideally, the MIC should stay in the US and stop its aggression upon the world.

[–]Marginotions[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

stop its aggression upon the world

That same concept is included in the discussion.