Soap-dodgers 1, Blubber-eaters 0

The Whale Wars folks illicit a wide range of responses, especially from naval professionals. We can complain about their lack of professionalism, their disdain for international law, and cringe at their reckless tactics, (while secretly rooting for their cause) but it appears arguments about their effectiveness are now moot. The hippy pirates of the Southern Ocean seem to have won the war, or at least the battle, against Japanese whalers this season.

Regardless of what readers may think of them, the Sea Sheperds have demonstrated, albeit clumsily, the requisite tools for a successful IW campaign against a major naval power at sea:

-A kluged together fleet and crews which were proven capable of operating in unforgiving Antarctic waters
-A comprehensive intelligence collection plan including airborne ISR and HUMINT tippers from informants on cruise ships in the Southern Ocean
-Adaptive and innovative tactics, balanced (somewhat) against risk and international opinion

-An effective influence plan which coopted a professional media wing - aka The Discovery Channel
-A charismatic fund raiser: Bob Barker

The model works. Who will copy it next and for what purpose?

The opinions and views expressed in this post are those of the author alone and are presented in his personal capacity. They do not necessarily represent the views of U.S. Department of Defense, the US Navy, or any other agency.