David Alman
@davidalman.bsky.social
Airman + consultant + aero engineer interested in national strategy, domestic policy, environmentalism, good food, and all things aviation. Views = mine alone and not representative of anyone I work for. #airpower
Emblematic of defense illiteracy, almost every single paragraph in this article has something wrong with it.
www.wsj.com/world/the-gr...
www.wsj.com/world/the-gr...
The ‘Growler’ Signal-Jamming Jet That Helped Capture Nicolás Maduro
The U.S. used the jet for jamming and spoofing Venezuela’s air defense. It is a key tool in the military’s renewed focus on electronic warfare.
www.wsj.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Emblematic of defense illiteracy, almost every single paragraph in this article has something wrong with it.
www.wsj.com/world/the-gr...
www.wsj.com/world/the-gr...
The real litmus test for seeing if you know about modern air combat is listening to AV Boyz or Short Skaters.
If none of the songs make sense, you need to read more / talk to more people.
open.spotify.com/track/2Iu1bU...
If none of the songs make sense, you need to read more / talk to more people.
open.spotify.com/track/2Iu1bU...
FLUG DCA
open.spotify.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:21 AM
The real litmus test for seeing if you know about modern air combat is listening to AV Boyz or Short Skaters.
If none of the songs make sense, you need to read more / talk to more people.
open.spotify.com/track/2Iu1bU...
If none of the songs make sense, you need to read more / talk to more people.
open.spotify.com/track/2Iu1bU...
This is a good taxonomy because it gets at tactics.
Something that goes under appreciated in many strategy circles is the impact of tactics on the art of the possible
Theory is great, but a failure to understand tactics really limits the ability to comprehend Iran / Caracas / etc.
Something that goes under appreciated in many strategy circles is the impact of tactics on the art of the possible
Theory is great, but a failure to understand tactics really limits the ability to comprehend Iran / Caracas / etc.
Limiting it to non-fiction and the "how to" bit, I propose the following taxonomy, one book each:
Grand Strategy
Operational Art
Land, sea, and air theory
Land, sea, and air tactics
something about amphibious something
Logistics
Acquisition
Personnel
Civ-mil
Coercion theory
Grand Strategy
Operational Art
Land, sea, and air theory
Land, sea, and air tactics
something about amphibious something
Logistics
Acquisition
Personnel
Civ-mil
Coercion theory
i would welcome a reading list of “so you want to know more about how to military”
January 7, 2026 at 12:16 AM
This is a good taxonomy because it gets at tactics.
Something that goes under appreciated in many strategy circles is the impact of tactics on the art of the possible
Theory is great, but a failure to understand tactics really limits the ability to comprehend Iran / Caracas / etc.
Something that goes under appreciated in many strategy circles is the impact of tactics on the art of the possible
Theory is great, but a failure to understand tactics really limits the ability to comprehend Iran / Caracas / etc.
Reposted by David Alman
Ngl it’s really disheartening to see liberal currents struggle to raise 500K and these jokers just keep raising cash no questions asked
January 5, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Ngl it’s really disheartening to see liberal currents struggle to raise 500K and these jokers just keep raising cash no questions asked
Reposted by David Alman
Dort possesses a toddler’s understanding of national security. @mikeblack114.bsky.social @sharonk.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Dort possesses a toddler’s understanding of national security. @mikeblack114.bsky.social @sharonk.bsky.social
Denmark is a NATO ally. Talking about annexing Greenland is insane.
Every pundit, think tanker, “professional”, etc. who whitewashes it should never be close to power again.
Every pundit, think tanker, “professional”, etc. who whitewashes it should never be close to power again.
January 5, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Denmark is a NATO ally. Talking about annexing Greenland is insane.
Every pundit, think tanker, “professional”, etc. who whitewashes it should never be close to power again.
Every pundit, think tanker, “professional”, etc. who whitewashes it should never be close to power again.
Reposted by David Alman
Our article about the Maduro op has received a large update with additional details. Not to toot our own horn but we're far ahead of the big newspapers with this story. Please give it a read.
thehighside.substack.com/p/bold-delta...
thehighside.substack.com/p/bold-delta...
Bold Delta Force raid leads to capture and arrest of Maduro
Trump says JSOC's Operation Absolute Resolve will allow the United States to "run" Venezuela.
thehighside.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Our article about the Maduro op has received a large update with additional details. Not to toot our own horn but we're far ahead of the big newspapers with this story. Please give it a read.
thehighside.substack.com/p/bold-delta...
thehighside.substack.com/p/bold-delta...
I really want to see the ROE the ground force landed with. My suspicion is it wouldn’t make us proud.
January 4, 2026 at 6:16 PM
I really want to see the ROE the ground force landed with. My suspicion is it wouldn’t make us proud.
Reposted by David Alman
Reposted by David Alman
You can have democracy or you can have a military that fixes the mistakes of the electorate. You can’t have both.
January 4, 2026 at 3:05 AM
You can have democracy or you can have a military that fixes the mistakes of the electorate. You can’t have both.
Reposted by David Alman
You want civilian control of the military in a democracy. Well, this is it. Elect better civilians.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
Real black pilled on the military. The oath means absolutely nothing at all, apparently. Happy to be praetorians, just as long as the check clears.
January 4, 2026 at 1:58 AM
You want civilian control of the military in a democracy. Well, this is it. Elect better civilians.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.