All Ahead Slow

We are observing a number of actions on both sides that we think are worth analysis, but we are going to slow down a bit and let events develop.

The cease-fire is enabling better press coverage from inside Georgia, and there is evidence the International Red Cross and other international agencies are out collecting information that will be useful for analysis of what has happened, and what is happening.

With the Navy being given the green light, we are about to observe the first major US Navy operation since the 2005 Tsunami. That may not sound like much to those not familiar with that story, but it is. These events will further shape the way we look at military power strategically.

For the second time in the 21st century, the United States is about to exercise military power in a major way other than war, but instead of confronting the challenge of a natural disaster, this time the confrontation is with a military power exercising political control. Is this a military mission? In the 21st century, yes.

But not in your traditional way. This is the perfect example why military strategy is incomplete when it focuses only on the duties of conducting war. This is not a peacekeeping mission, peacekeeping is what nations do when the UN asks them to fill space between wars. This scenario, the full spectrum multi-agency option other than war, logistically supported by the tools of war, is what we mean when we use the world peacemaking in 21st century strategy.

This is the black dot in the white side of the Yin Yang. This will be interesting.