Former Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne told Wired’s Danger Room that one way for the US military to get ahead in the strategic communications struggle over operations in Afghanistan might be to enlist US service members in the blogosphere. Defense Secretary Robert Gates complained to Pentagon reporters this week that the coalition has been at a strategic communications “disadvantage” as the Taliban exploits or provokes civilian casualties because it doesn’t “care what the truth is.” Some news reports had speculated that Gates removed Army Gen. David McKiernan as top US commander in Afghanistan because recent air strikes were blamed for civilian deaths, but Gates denied that. Wynne told Wired, “This thing of letting the Taliban … get a hold of 24 to 48 hours of news cycle and then you announce that you’re forming an investigative team—what is that?” He recommends forming a combat blogging force much like combat camera military members.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
