“The threat of further bombing holds little terror for the defender, as the attacker increasingly finds it difficult to do more than “make the rubble bounce.” Consequently, even utter helplessness against airpower has only limited consequences for the defender if there is no prospect of an invasion”
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2026 at 10:59 AM
“The threat of further bombing holds little terror for the defender, as the attacker increasingly finds it difficult to do more than “make the rubble bounce.” Consequently, even utter helplessness against airpower has only limited consequences for the defender if there is no prospect of an invasion”
The sun is struggling to break through, but my Haix Airpower XR1 are shining.
October 31, 2026 at 2:37 PM
The sun is struggling to break through, but my Haix Airpower XR1 are shining.
Why is the United States—despite its enormous military might—unable to defeat Iran?
In my latest for @liberalcurrents.com, I go over how and why coercion works in war and why airpower is so bad at it yet remains so appealing.
In my latest for @liberalcurrents.com, I go over how and why coercion works in war and why airpower is so bad at it yet remains so appealing.
"It is only possible to believe that bombing alone has substantial coercive power if you ignore the mechanisms by which military success has historically induced the enemy to give in." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
November 2, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Why is the United States—despite its enormous military might—unable to defeat Iran?
In my latest for @liberalcurrents.com, I go over how and why coercion works in war and why airpower is so bad at it yet remains so appealing.
In my latest for @liberalcurrents.com, I go over how and why coercion works in war and why airpower is so bad at it yet remains so appealing.
#Grumman #F6F Hellcat, #American Airpower Heritage Museum (CAF) (N1078Z) by Jaco Spruyt (#In Flight - California) #Warbirds (WW2 and before) #aviation #photography #avgeeks
American Airpower Heritage Museum (CAF) Grumman F6F Hellcat N1078Z - In Flight - California (Photo by Jaco Spruyt)
Photo of N1078Z Grumman F6F Hellcat of American Airpower Heritage Museum (CAF) | Warbirds (WW2 and before) In Flight - California - USA - California © Jaco Spruyt Oct 4th 2025
airplane-pictures.net
November 1, 2026 at 9:45 AM
recently ezra klein raised (and dismissed) the possibility of pete hegseth being replaced by "a thoughtful commanding general." but even such a captain would be unlikely to salvage the situation in iran, as @deadcarl.bsky.social explains: there are deeper strategic realities at play.
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2026 at 11:25 AM
recently ezra klein raised (and dismissed) the possibility of pete hegseth being replaced by "a thoughtful commanding general." but even such a captain would be unlikely to salvage the situation in iran, as @deadcarl.bsky.social explains: there are deeper strategic realities at play.
historically, secdefs have *not* been generals, and indeed generals need a congressional waiver to become secdef! but we have deluded ourselves into thinking that war should be "left to the professionals."
if dead carl convinces you of one thing, it should be that this is ass-backwards
if dead carl convinces you of one thing, it should be that this is ass-backwards
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2026 at 11:26 AM
historically, secdefs have *not* been generals, and indeed generals need a congressional waiver to become secdef! but we have deluded ourselves into thinking that war should be "left to the professionals."
if dead carl convinces you of one thing, it should be that this is ass-backwards
if dead carl convinces you of one thing, it should be that this is ass-backwards
"The way to get what you want is by increasing your enemy’s risk of utter helplessness." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 3, 2026 at 6:09 PM
"The way to get what you want is by increasing your enemy’s risk of utter helplessness." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
"It is only possible to believe that bombing alone has substantial coercive power if you ignore the mechanisms by which military success has historically induced the enemy to give in." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
November 2, 2026 at 7:10 AM
"It is only possible to believe that bombing alone has substantial coercive power if you ignore the mechanisms by which military success has historically induced the enemy to give in." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
"Clausewitz insisted on the primacy of the political point of view: military success is only intelligible if we understand it as a tool of coercion." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2026 at 10:31 PM
"Clausewitz insisted on the primacy of the political point of view: military success is only intelligible if we understand it as a tool of coercion." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Well That’s Creepy
Well That's Creepy - Lawyers, Guns & Money
I get e-mails. Weird, fucked up e-mails. Hi Robert, The move in Grounded that I admire most is the one that makes it harder to dismiss than a typical polemic: you never argue against airpower. You argue that airpower does not need an air force. You grant that aircraft, and now drones, are critical, and […]
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
November 3, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Well That’s Creepy
"I am an O-6 and my understanding of airpower is that I always had someone in the stack 24/7 so why can't we do that here what do you mean we have to synchronize takeoff and refuel times what the fuck are those, also I'm the delegated TEA but this staff can't even spell JIPTL, so"
October 30, 2026 at 11:26 PM
"I am an O-6 and my understanding of airpower is that I always had someone in the stack 24/7 so why can't we do that here what do you mean we have to synchronize takeoff and refuel times what the fuck are those, also I'm the delegated TEA but this staff can't even spell JIPTL, so"
Eternal screaming at the continued, unabated jackassery of airpower and standoff fires.
The U.S. has told several Gulf Arab countries to be prepared for a short, intense military campaign after the U.S. midterm elections, people briefed on the conversations said www.wsj.com/world/middle...
U.S. Warns Gulf of Possible Short, Intense Renewal of Iran War After Midterms
There are new signs that the American and Israeli militaries are preparing a potential wave of strikes to muscle Tehran to the negotiating table.
www.wsj.com
October 28, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Eternal screaming at the continued, unabated jackassery of airpower and standoff fires.
Yeah, cultivated the press masterfully.
Didn't understand airpower. Which was a problem.
Didn't understand airpower. Which was a problem.
November 2, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Yeah, cultivated the press masterfully.
Didn't understand airpower. Which was a problem.
Didn't understand airpower. Which was a problem.
"Not only does [bombing] mean far fewer casualties for the attacker, but the very transience that makes it ineffective as a tool of coercion furthers its appeal: the attacker can, or at least appears to be able to, start or stop it whenever he desires." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2026 at 12:12 PM
"Not only does [bombing] mean far fewer casualties for the attacker, but the very transience that makes it ineffective as a tool of coercion furthers its appeal: the attacker can, or at least appears to be able to, start or stop it whenever he desires." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Indeed. Also the degree to which folks just straight up will not engage with the limits of airpower - at least, short of nuclear weapons - as a coercive tool.
October 29, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Indeed. Also the degree to which folks just straight up will not engage with the limits of airpower - at least, short of nuclear weapons - as a coercive tool.
Aside from the limitations of airpower as a thing, this also gets at the underlying problem of will: The war started at 1972 Vietnam War approval, so there's no willingness to accept the costs and risks that would be inherent with a strategy that could even *in theory* force Iran to give up.
"It is only possible to believe that bombing alone has substantial coercive power if you ignore the mechanisms by which military success has historically induced the enemy to give in." www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
November 2, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Aside from the limitations of airpower as a thing, this also gets at the underlying problem of will: The war started at 1972 Vietnam War approval, so there's no willingness to accept the costs and risks that would be inherent with a strategy that could even *in theory* force Iran to give up.
So.
As this has played out in what I'm gonna call the Airpower Era, (1945-present), there has been little to no political cost for the casual misuse of airpower, for not linking it to achievable strategic goals.
Contrarywise, the American public has come to expect this, as political messaging.
As this has played out in what I'm gonna call the Airpower Era, (1945-present), there has been little to no political cost for the casual misuse of airpower, for not linking it to achievable strategic goals.
Contrarywise, the American public has come to expect this, as political messaging.
November 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
So.
As this has played out in what I'm gonna call the Airpower Era, (1945-present), there has been little to no political cost for the casual misuse of airpower, for not linking it to achievable strategic goals.
Contrarywise, the American public has come to expect this, as political messaging.
As this has played out in what I'm gonna call the Airpower Era, (1945-present), there has been little to no political cost for the casual misuse of airpower, for not linking it to achievable strategic goals.
Contrarywise, the American public has come to expect this, as political messaging.
With all due respect to Bob Pape, I believe Clausewitz’s simpler explanation more succinctly explains why airpower alone fails.
With bombing, there are clear limits to the damage that can be done. The defender maintains control over their territory and so has little reason to fear true disaster.
With bombing, there are clear limits to the damage that can be done. The defender maintains control over their territory and so has little reason to fear true disaster.
November 2, 2026 at 7:34 PM
With all due respect to Bob Pape, I believe Clausewitz’s simpler explanation more succinctly explains why airpower alone fails.
With bombing, there are clear limits to the damage that can be done. The defender maintains control over their territory and so has little reason to fear true disaster.
With bombing, there are clear limits to the damage that can be done. The defender maintains control over their territory and so has little reason to fear true disaster.
Are You Tired of Winning Yet? www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Are You Tired of Winning Yet?
The Trump administration has chosen to forget that airpower provides no way to force a favorable peace.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Are You Tired of Winning Yet? www.liberalcurrents.com/are-you-tire...
Well That’s Creepy www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/11/well...
Well That's Creepy - Lawyers, Guns & Money
I get e-mails. Weird, fucked up e-mails. Hi Robert, The move in Grounded that I admire most is the one that makes it harder to dismiss than a typical polemic: you never argue against airpower. You arg...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
November 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Well That’s Creepy www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/11/well...
New War & Society article! 'Crisis-driven innovation: the development of the RAF Fire and Rescue Service in the second world war' by Sam Kendall argues that the development of the RAF Fire and Rescue Service was a product of crisis-driven innovation. #airpower www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
New War & Society article! 'Crisis-driven innovation: the development of the RAF Fire and Rescue Service in the second world war' by Sam Kendall argues that the development of the RAF Fire and Rescue Service was a product of crisis-driven innovation. #airpower www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
many people are saying www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
October 28, 2026 at 11:44 AM
many people are saying www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
This is right.
Clausewitz stresses that the enemy must be made to believe that his situation is intolerable, must be made to believe it will remain so, cannot be waited out.
In announcing the attack on Hiroshima, Truman said "we have more of these bombs..."
Airpower is ephemeral.
Clausewitz stresses that the enemy must be made to believe that his situation is intolerable, must be made to believe it will remain so, cannot be waited out.
In announcing the attack on Hiroshima, Truman said "we have more of these bombs..."
Airpower is ephemeral.
November 2, 2026 at 1:21 PM
This is right.
Clausewitz stresses that the enemy must be made to believe that his situation is intolerable, must be made to believe it will remain so, cannot be waited out.
In announcing the attack on Hiroshima, Truman said "we have more of these bombs..."
Airpower is ephemeral.
Clausewitz stresses that the enemy must be made to believe that his situation is intolerable, must be made to believe it will remain so, cannot be waited out.
In announcing the attack on Hiroshima, Truman said "we have more of these bombs..."
Airpower is ephemeral.
Signs that the PLAN has been building up to this significant milestone in naval airpower have been growing for more than a year.
https://www.twz.com/air/stealthy-gj-21-drone-has-launched-and-recovered-from-type-076-amphibious-assault-ship-china-claims
https://www.twz.com/air/stealthy-gj-21-drone-has-launched-and-recovered-from-type-076-amphibious-assault-ship-china-claims
Stealthy GJ-21 Drone Has Launched And Recovered From Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship, China Claims
Signs that the PLAN has been building up to this significant milestone in naval airpower have been growing for more than a year.
www.twz.com
October 30, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Signs that the PLAN has been building up to this significant milestone in naval airpower have been growing for more than a year.
https://www.twz.com/air/stealthy-gj-21-drone-has-launched-and-recovered-from-type-076-amphibious-assault-ship-china-claims
https://www.twz.com/air/stealthy-gj-21-drone-has-launched-and-recovered-from-type-076-amphibious-assault-ship-china-claims
AirPower, alone, won’t solve his quandary….boots on the ground or stop wasting our time/money/treasure….🙄
November 2, 2026 at 4:20 PM
AirPower, alone, won’t solve his quandary….boots on the ground or stop wasting our time/money/treasure….🙄