8 chapters across the catalog
The Army Futures Command has officially established its headquarters in Austin, Texas, bringing 500 personnel and a reported $16 billion to invest in local startups. The hosts note the increasing concentration of military, intelligence, and tech giants like Google and Amazon in the Austin area.
Army Futures Command, Military Modernization in Austin
The U.S. Army selected Austin as the headquarters for the new Army Futures Command, which began operations in July. The command is tasked with modernizing the Army's force design and assessing emerging threats and technologies. The presence of high-level military and intelligence figures like Bobby Inman in the Austin area is noted.
Ebola Response, Liberia Military Command, Air Bridge
President Obama announced a major military escalation to combat the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, including the establishment of a command center in Liberia. Major General Darrell Williams is leading 3,000 troops to provide logistics and engineering support, including the creation of an "air bridge." The hosts speculate that the military presence may be a cover for testing experimental Ebola vaccines on soldiers.
Deloitte Global Defense Outlook 2013, Cyber Warfare Transition
The Deloitte & Touche "Global Defense Outlook 2013" report outlines a shift in military strategy toward special operations and cyber warfare. As traditional defense budgets in high-income states decline, the report suggests a "balancing" of security and prosperity. The U.S. Cyber Command, established in 2009, is highlighted as a primary area of investment to exploit the military potential of the digital domain.
Military Commanders and Acceptance of Foreign Contributions
A provision in the NDAA allows the Secretary of Defense to accept cash contributions from foreign governments or international organizations for use by commanders in theaters of war like Afghanistan. The hosts characterize this as a legalized way for "drug money" or other untraceable funds to flow into military slush funds. This authority allows these contributions to be credited to operation and maintenance accounts until expended.
CIA Conflict, Afghanistan Troop Requests, Olympic Bid Failure
The discussion shifts to internal conflicts between the Obama administration, the CIA, and military commanders regarding troop surges in Afghanistan. The hosts suggest Obama's alleged trip to Russia might have been a plea for help amidst domestic military pressure. They also mock the State Department's reaction to Chicago's last-place finish in the Olympic voting process.
Military DUI Checkpoints, Posse Comitatus, Northern Command
Reports from the Army Times suggest that military police may assist civilian authorities at DUI checkpoints in California for training purposes. This development is viewed as a potential violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of federal military personnel to enforce domestic policies. The role of the Northern Command in domestic operations is identified as a precursor to potential martial law.
Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, defended his company's operations during a lengthy interview with Charlie Rose. Prince claimed that Blackwater primarily serves as an outsourced training facility for the U.S. Marines and Navy under direct military command. The discussion compares the services provided by private security firms to those of traditional defense contractors manufacturing fighter jets and ships.
