Jan 23

Control of the National Guard

The National Guard operates under the control of the governor, except in specific circumstances.
- Circumstances include a declaration of war by Congress.
- Mention of Ms. Hood highlights a point of reference, though not elaborated.

The current situation is marked by protests and high tensions, especially in Minnesota, where the temperature is cold.
The National Guard's popularity is low, and they want to avoid confusion with other military forces or border guards.
- Troops being deployed include active duty military forces from the US.

Mention of 1,500 American troops traditionally based in Alaska, with context suggesting an underreporting of actual troop numbers.
Reference to NATO and Canadian contributions in Afghanistan, indicating support from allies.
- Raises the question of troop necessity: "Will they be there if we haven't needed them?"
- Express hope that the need for such troops will never arise.

Critiques the delay in response from the President of the United States, who took a year to address economic warfare threats starting January 20, 2020.
Discussion focused on economic threats against Denmark, Norway, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
- Emphasis on the weaponization of international trade relationships by great powers.
- The vulnerability of the supply chain is noted as leverage against middle powers like Canada.
Mention of sanctions prepared by Europe against the US, followed by a sarcastic comment on the President's wisdom regarding these threats.

Discussion of third-party candidates in the 2016 election, where over 6,000,000 votes were cast for them.
- Specific mention of Gary Johnson (former governor of New Mexico) and the label "Mr. Aleppo" due to his lack of knowledge regarding Syrian conflict.
- Mention of a significant number of Americans voting for alternative candidates to express dissatisfaction with major party candidates.
- Clinton's election margin was affected by these votes, with third-party votes equating to twice Hillary's margin.

455 British fatalities in Afghanistan, with further clarification revealing total British fatalities reached 458 by the end of the conflict.
- The complexity of casualty figures is acknowledged, considering deployments in various wars (e.g., Gulf War).
Casualty figures from other nations are shared: 160 from Canada, 83 from France, and 40 from Poland, including lost troops in various operations against ISIS.
- Noted the inherent intertwining of these casualties with campaigns beyond Afghanistan, such as the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Historical context given about American military presence in various campaigns, with numbers cited illustrating international involvement.
- Korean War: over 80,000 British troops deployed; significant fatalities recorded.
- Allies involved in Vietnam War and the 2nd Gulf War, with substantial British, Canadian, and Turkish troop involvement highlighted.

The context of military air strikes against ISIS is examined, detailing the involvement of allied nations such as Australia, Belgium, and Denmark illustrated through various campaign timelines and strategies.
- Noted that despite the gruesome outcomes of prior engagements, allies remained committed to their missions in the face of danger.
Further developments in military strategies included the deployment of reconnaissance jets without engaging directly with ground forces.
- Mention of Russia's interference in Syria as a catalyst for changing allied tactics and commitments in air operations.

A retrospective look at international relations and military strategy emphasizes the interdependence of allied forces in modern warfare and recognizes the historical complexity of these military endeavors.
The United States' varied involvement in international campaigns over the last decades, culminating in discussions about future military engagements and the expectation of collaborative efforts among allied nations in combat scenarios.

Highlight of the US's reliance on allied support across these campaigns, emphasizing the need for collective action in international security matters.