WARNING: Before reading The Dead Drop, note that the following content contains humor and sometimes pronounced snarkiness that might not be suitable for people who are unable to occasionally laugh at themselves or their preferred political party.
ELECTION DAY…ELECTION WEEK… ELECTION MONTH: Somehow big personnel changes and big policy pronouncements are part of the election aftermath in this year’s U.S. presidential race. On Tuesday November 17th, Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller marched into the Pentagon press briefing room to announce major drawdowns on U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to be completed by January 15. After completing his remarks, we’re told Miller did an about face and left without taking any questions. Everyone wants to end the endless wars, but there is a right way and a wrong way to make an exit. As one observer told us: “The president has wanted to get out of Afghanistan and Iraq in the worst way – and he has.” Oddly, there may soon be more non-US NATO and allied troops in Afghanistan than Americans. Based on stats we’ve seen, countries like Mongolia, Armenia and Montenegro already contribute more military personnel on a population adjusted basis than does the U.S. Of course, they will probably be pulling out soon, too. No doubt there is a politician somewhere saying: “Make Montenegro First”
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