Jed Babbin
Columns by Jed Babbin
Biden’s ‘no first use’ strategy would dismantle nuclear deterrence
Former President Donald J. Trump was frequently accused of trying to dismantle NATO when he demanded that the member nations live up to their obligation to invest in their own defense. Published November 29, 2021
U.S. sleepwalking in China’s shadow
Twice in the last three months, President Joe Biden has said that America would defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack. His staff quickly corrected him on both occasions. Published November 11, 2021
Why is U.S. Intelligence so expensive and ineffective?
On October 20, the Financial Times reported that two Chinese test launches of hypersonic nuclear-capable weapons "...stunned the Pentagon and US intelligence because China managed to demonstrate a brand new weapons capability." Published November 1, 2021
Should the United States defend Taiwan?
For decades, China's bellicosity toward Taiwan has risen and fallen with the political tides in China, Taiwan, and the U.S. Published October 18, 2021
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller: A 21st century Billy Mitchell
In 1925, the Army court-martialed Col. Billy Mitchell for speaking out against political decisions he believed was dangerous to our nation. Published October 7, 2021
Questions for Milley and Austin about Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley will testify on September 28 before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Published September 25, 2021
Feebleminded Biden’s impact on America’s allies
President Biden has confidently asserted that our allies have not reacted negatively to the debacle he created in withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan. Published September 10, 2021
Afghanistan was another Vietnam
President Joe Biden has insisted that there are no parallels between our defeat in Afghanistan and our defeat in Vietnam almost fifty years ago. He could not be more wrong. Published August 29, 2021
Who’s to blame for America’s defeat in Afghanistan?
Under President Joe Biden's order, all US troops in Afghanistan will be withdrawn by month's end except for the hundred or so guarding our embassy in Kabul. Published August 13, 2021
When should a cyberattack be declared an act of war?
In 1888, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck said, "One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans." His words proved prophetic. Published August 4, 2021
Time for Biden to liberate Cuba and denounce communism
Since July 11, tens of thousands of Cubans have been protesting against the oppression of the communist regime that has banned such demonstrations for almost sixty years. Published July 24, 2021
Biden’s Afghanistan fairy tales: Another Saigon may be on the horizon
There are no facts to support Mr. Biden's claim that Afghanistan won't soon again become a base from which terrorist attacks by al-Qaida (or other terrorist networks) can be mounted against the US. Published July 12, 2021
Putin and global sharks smell Biden’s weakness
Many of us remember Rodney Dangerfield, the chubby comedian whose signature line was, "I don't get no respect." Judging by the actions and words of America's enemies, neither does President Biden. Published July 2, 2021
Biden ending the Afghan War and closing Gitmo
The war in Afghanistan has been violent, ambiguous and confusing. President Biden has ordered that all U.S. troops be withdrawn by September 11, and they may all be out as soon as next month. Published June 20, 2021
Who’s to blame for the COVID-19 pandemic?
We don't know whether Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli created the COVID-19 virus or whether it was released, accidentally or not, by the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Published June 4, 2021
Biden’s silence on Colonial Pipeline’s ransom payment sets dangerous precedent
Colonial Pipeline's payment of ransom to extortionists who seized control of its east coast pipeline has set an enormously dangerous precedent. That danger is magnified tenfold by President Biden's silence on the incident. Published May 24, 2021
Why believe John Kerry or Mohammad Javad Zarif?
On April 25 an audiotaped an interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was "leaked" to and broadcast by Iranian International, a satellite news channel. Published May 8, 2021
Putin’s Ukraine blackmail
Russian aggression against Ukraine is mounting quickly on Ukraine's eastern border and in its partial Black Sea blockade. Published April 22, 2021
Europe’s AstraZeneca vaccine fiasco erupts
The European Union, in its obtaining and distributing anti-COVID-19 vaccines, demonstrated the charm of the IRS and the speedy efficiency of the DMV. Published April 7, 2021
Biden’s woke military
There are two types of senior military leaders. One always seeks ways to maximize the lethality and readiness of the forces under his command. The other is so sunken in the political swamp that those concepts are nearly forgotten. Published March 30, 2021