Zach Ota
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zachota.bsky.social
Zach Ota
@zachota.bsky.social
3.6K followers 1.1K following 1.7K posts
Beholding the Pacific • Krulak Center • YCAPS • Allies & Partners • Amphibious Defense • Aloha
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zachota.bsky.social
Hindsight is foresight

www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23638...
But the largest difference between the two camps remains the impact of oil. When the United States led its invasion of Iraq in 2003, the price of a barrel of oil was around $25. Five years later, the price of a barrel of oil is well over $100. "We believe, and I believe experts will agree, that the war is one of the factors contributing to the increase in the price of oil," says Stiglitz. "And the increase in the price of oil is one of the factors contributing to the weakening of the economy."
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies after Typhoon Kalmaegi

🇵🇭 🇺🇸
U.S. Marines with MRF-SEA, 1st MAW, and the Armed Forces of The Philippines deliver hundreds of palletized family food packs to Virac, Philippines, in support of foreign disaster relief operations, Nov. 13, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief support to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (wan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian A. Knowles)
November 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
zachota.bsky.social
This Veterans Day, I’m humbled by those who served before me, honored to once again serve as a 5th Marine, and proud to pass on our legacy to younger generations who will write the next chapter of our history.
The French Fourragére awarded to members of the 5th Marines Regiment.
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Happy 250th Birthday, Marines!

It’s been an honor to share a few of those years with all of you.

Here’s health to you and to our Corps for many more!
November 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
zachota.bsky.social
I always enjoy a good map!
November 8, 2025 at 2:19 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Get those lungs ready!
November 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Let’s pay our troops the Constitutional way 🇺🇸
"We can't help but wonder, 'How long can we meet the demand?' Our biggest challenge right now is staying prepared for whatever comes next." - LaRonda Schenck Scott, Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton
November 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
zachota.bsky.social
“The move rests on the idea that a Vietnam-era law called the War Powers Resolution does not apply to airstrike campaigns.”
In 1969, when the enemy launched a nationwide offensive in South Vietnam, President Richard Nixon ordered a secret B-52 bombing offensive against the Cambodian sanctuaries. During the next 13 months, USAF B-52s flew more than 4,000 sorties against enemy supply lines and bases in Cambodia. The 1969 B-52 offensive in Cambodia was code-named OPERATION MENU. (U.S. Air Force photo, Oscar the Grouch added for effect). The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was prompted by news leaking out that President Nixon conducted secret bombings of Cambodia during the Vietnam War without notifying Congress. The War Powers Resolution bill was a contest between Congress and the Presidency on who has specific rights regarding wartime authorities.
November 4, 2025 at 10:31 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Well, it’s true that my amphibians ride in Navy equipment.
My ass rides in Navy equipment
November 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Mr. Baseballer, as some would say
Mr. baseball
November 2, 2025 at 4:59 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Japan finally embracing its soft power for the betterment of the world
From America to Japan, from Japan to America I can't dream!
November 2, 2025 at 4:55 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Google AI is dead wrong
Mr. Baseball
November 2, 2025 at 4:44 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Yoshinobu Yamamoto to America
The spirit of baseball in Japan is same as in America.
November 2, 2025 at 4:26 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Dave Roberts to Will Smith
Swing Away
November 2, 2025 at 4:09 AM
zachota.bsky.social
My thoughts on the World Series right now
Baseball can’t end in a tie
November 2, 2025 at 3:49 AM
zachota.bsky.social
Consider this the prototype
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Did you say *green* felt cowboy hats?

Now that is a fit we need to adopt.
Green felt cowboy hat
November 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
zachota.bsky.social
I mean, we’re kindred cultures, so I don’t know why Americans would have a hard time pronouncing British words. Your flag’s on my state’s flag, after all.
Hawai’i flag
October 29, 2025 at 1:08 PM
zachota.bsky.social
So you’re saying my public school education failed me?
Salisbury Steak
October 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Reminds me of this:
Eyeball stew
October 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Speaking of things that don’t have a recoil…
Javelin anti tank missile
October 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
zachota.bsky.social
Seems like I have to break out this meme again:
HARD TIMES CREATE STRONG MEN STRONG MEN CREATE GOOD TIMES GOOD TIMES CREATE WEAK MEN SELF-SERVING MEN LIE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WEAK MEN AND IN THE PROCESS DESTROY SOCIETY'S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS
October 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
zachota.bsky.social
I guess Chicagoans and I have more in common than I thought.
Being a INDOPACOM fan is a physical and emotional roller coaster
October 24, 2025 at 4:14 AM
zachota.bsky.social
A lot of folks are gonna find out.
YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE HERE. YOU ARE NOT A WOLF. AND THIS IS A LAND OF WOLVES NOW.
October 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
zachota.bsky.social
A tale in two graphs
A month before the war began, most Republicans - and a narrow majority of Democrats - favored U.S. military action in Iraq to end Saddam Hussein's rule % who said they taking military action in Iraq to end Saddam Hussein's rule Total Men Women Ages 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ College grad+ Some college HS or less Oppose 26 22 29 25 28 25 24 37 20 24 11 Favor 66 71 61 67 66 67 60 54 76 67 83 Don't know 8 6 10 8 6 8 16 10 5 9 6 8 Rep/Lean Rep Dem/Lean Dem 40 52 Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 12-18, 2003. PEW RESEARCH CENTER In 2019, majorities of Americans and U.S. military veterans said the Iraq War was 'not worth fighting' % who said that considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits, the war in Iraq was ... Not worth fighting All U.S. adults 62 Worth fighting 32 All veterans 64 33 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans 59 37 Note: No answer responses not shown. Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted May 14-26, 2019, and of U.S. veterans conducted May 14-June 3, 2019. PEW RESEARCH CENTER
October 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM