Yesterday’s Threats
Another day, another pile of reports that we’re building too large a military for the wrong sort of war. More attacks that my office is hopelessly outdated, obsolete, fighting wars decades old rather than what we face today. That we are preparing for the Big Enemies of yesterday, not the small enemies of today’s asymmetric war.
They are right of course, as far as that goes. We are not preparing for today’s war–but not because we can’t see past yesterday. They are wrong, but it’s not their fault–they just can’t see what tomorrow will likely bring.
I’m rereading Themistocles’ speeches to the Athenians, justifying building a massive fleet they thought they had no need for. It’s not much fun playing the role of the benighted dinosaur or greedy war monger. But those of us who must do so knew the reasons and costs when we started, and nothing has changed. I may call up some of the old pals from the New American Century project tonight. We can’t be seen as too actively networked these days, but it’s hard to keep playing out this charade alone. Vilified and painted as oafish cowboys, we have long ago sacrificed our careers and public standing because we knew what simply must be done. Poor George, poor Rummie–I think it’s the worst for them, but they soldier on. Convincing more of the world that they’re oil-mad, hiding their motives under ridiculous witch hunts and hysteria. The critics are right in the short term, but cannot know how truly wrong they are until we are ready.
They are right that the weapons we build now are wrong for today. They are wrong in thinking that’s why we build them. We build them for a World War no one on this world will start. For the critics have not seen the photos from the dark side of the moon. The critics are not party to the tracking of a small fleet of objects crossing into the ecliptic and heading to Earth. I saw the real last signals from the Mars Polar Lander, and I know what we are preparing for. I only hope to God it’s enough.
I finish my coffee, put down Herodotus, and go out to tell the press some ridiculous lie about terrorism and homeland security.