Paul M Kearney

Excited to see Spencer French on the docket with his “‘When the Parting of the Ways Comes’: The U.S. Army and the Limits of Anglo-
American Intelligence Cooperation, 1940–1943”

As a non-historian, talking with Spencer about this piece of intel history has been fascinating.

“Tactical friend with benefits”

So it's worth evaluating, "what is our battlefield dominance built upon? And how brittle is that foundation?"

Uncomfortable to think about, sure.

But when military dominance fails, Armies can't count on a second career in the Senate.

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Technologies sometime allow for battlefield or even strategic dominance, but sometimes democratize warfare.

If a state's military dominance is built on one system, structure, or technology, exogenous shocks can completely unseat their dominance.

a very tall building is being demolished by a demolition team ALT: a very tall building is being demolished by a demolition team

Now, I'm not a football coach. At 165 lbs, soaking wet and wearing blue jeans, I'm probably not fit to be a placekicker.

So what does this mean in my world?

Dominance built on brittle foundations will FAIL before you can adapt.

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This caused talent to be more evenly dispersed and asymmetries between programs to even out.

Now, with closer parity in talent, coaching systems, player development, and game day coaching -- things that were on the margin before -- now carry the day.

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Then an EXOGENOUS SHOCK. The NIL licensing and the ability to pay players changed the college football landscape.

It was now SIGNIFICANTLY better (financially) for a player to be the star player on a school further away, than it was to be the 7th best player on a prestige (Championship) team.

a woman with a blue bow in her hair is singing a song from the wizard of oz . ALT: a woman with a blue bow in her hair is singing a song from the wizard of oz .

Turns out that the comparative advantage of SEC wasn't that they had built better systems, developed players, and were better coached.

Turns out they were just closer to recruiting pools and players gravitate towards things they know. So Florida, Texas, and other Southern programs feed the SEC.

a man is saying `` that 's dumb . '' ALT: a man is saying `` that 's dumb . ''

Setting aside being a "fan" of conference is just dumb, how'd everyone enjoy National Championship?

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SEC Football.

For YEARS, I've had to endure the bleating of southern-born Army colleagues who, often in a single breathe, could denigrate Army football (fair) and pivot seamlessly to their full throated support of SEC football.

I prefer napping in the cold mud of Dahlonega GA.

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Exogenous Shocks and Brittle Systems:

🧵 A thread that is not about what you think it's about, nor is it about the other thing you're now thinking of.

Welcoming an incredible scholar and friend to the BSky,
@nechamahuba.bsky.social

Nechama’s research is in the political psychology of radicalization, intelligence operations, and other security/peace/conflict studies.

Welcome her with a follow

What if Russia invades the Baltic? A tabletop game offers answers “Littoral Commander: The Baltic” depicts a Russian invasion of the Baltic region around 2030.

My "Littoral Commander: Baltic" #wargame is featured in Defense News!
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

The Army Built an AI Talent Pipeline—But It’s Filled with Career-Killing Roadblocks - Modern War Institute The Army is losing exactly the kind of artificial intelligence talent it insists it needs to win the next war. Only four of the seven Army Artificial Intelligence Scholars recently considered for on-t...

Let’s just call this the A.I.Pak Hands program.

mwi.westpoint.edu/the-army-bui...

Six wargames to add to your holiday gift list Some wargames aren't available to the public. Fortunately, there are games out there that can be obtained without needing a security clearance.

This list should 100% include "Littoral Commander: Baltic Edition"

Great for kids E-1 to O-10

www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/mil...

Now available!

www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...

The Preferred Proper Nouns (™️) just dropped.

My "Littoral Commander: Baltic" in Germany! LET'S GO!

Finally, the Catholicism I remember from 12 years of Catholic school

I’m wearing its Airborne twin right now while getting this little man to bed

Not in the C-47 one I have nor has @sebastianbae.bsky.social ever complained (to me at least).

Though I suspect the limited editions get particular care.

I have 2x Bulovas (A-15 Pilot and a Hack) and a Hamilton (Khaki Field King Auto) and while I switch them around constantly, my new go-to is a Praedidus A-11 made from a C-47 door that dropped Paratroopers in WWII. The same company made a version with sand from Iwo for @sebastianbae.bsky.social

I am shocked!

Hamilton. Amiright @ctreese2.bsky.social ?

Happy LTPL Day to all who celebrate it, especially the Goodyears in my garage

I have so many thoughts, in these professionally trying days

What if Russia invades the Baltic? A tabletop game offers answers “Littoral Commander: The Baltic” depicts a Russian invasion of the Baltic region around 2030.

My "Littoral Commander: Baltic" #wargame is featured in Defense News!
www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

I’m pretty mid… better polish off the ol’ resume…

I’m gonna call it “Steve”