Re: The Iraq War - Chapter 5
When they talk about "fueling the military-industrial complex". they mean that in a figurative AND a literal sense now. A new report just released by the Defense Dept. says that the dwindling supplies of oil and the increasing cost of procuring it will make it increasingly difficult for us to respond militarily to the world's hot spots in the future.
I can see some interesting scenarios arising from this realization: 1) the Pentagon will comandeer more of the US public's share of gasoline and other petroleum products under the guise of national defense which in turn makes the per gallon price of gasoline soar exponentially or 2) the Pentagon converts all the Stykers, tanks, and planes that it uses to use alternative fuels, 3) the White House starts "picking and choosing" which battles to fight around the globe.
I can imagine what Baghdad would smell like if the Strykers and humvees converted to biofuel...like the local neighborhood Baghdad McDonald's!
Miulang
When they talk about "fueling the military-industrial complex". they mean that in a figurative AND a literal sense now. A new report just released by the Defense Dept. says that the dwindling supplies of oil and the increasing cost of procuring it will make it increasingly difficult for us to respond militarily to the world's hot spots in the future.
The study, produced by a defense consulting firm, concludes that all four branches of the military must "fundamentally transform" their assumptions about energy, including taking immediate steps toward fielding weapons systems and aircraft that run on alternative and renewable fuels. It is "imperative" that the Department of Defense "apply new energy technologies that address alternative supply sources and efficient consumption across all aspects of military operations," according to the report, which was provided to the Globe.
Weaning the military from fossil fuels quickly, however, would be a herculean task -- especially because the bulk of the US arsenal, the world's most advanced, is dependent on fossil fuels and many of those military systems have been designed to remain in service for at least several decades.
Moving to alternative energy sources on a large scale would "challenge some of the department's most deeply held assumptions, interests, and processes," the report acknowledges.
But Pentagon advisers believe the military's growing consumption of fossil fuels -- an increasingly expensive and scarce commodity -- leaves Pentagon leaders with little choice but to break with the past as soon as possible. Compared with World War II, according to the report, the military in Iraq and Afghanistan is using 16 times more fuel per soldier.
Weaning the military from fossil fuels quickly, however, would be a herculean task -- especially because the bulk of the US arsenal, the world's most advanced, is dependent on fossil fuels and many of those military systems have been designed to remain in service for at least several decades.
Moving to alternative energy sources on a large scale would "challenge some of the department's most deeply held assumptions, interests, and processes," the report acknowledges.
But Pentagon advisers believe the military's growing consumption of fossil fuels -- an increasingly expensive and scarce commodity -- leaves Pentagon leaders with little choice but to break with the past as soon as possible. Compared with World War II, according to the report, the military in Iraq and Afghanistan is using 16 times more fuel per soldier.
I can imagine what Baghdad would smell like if the Strykers and humvees converted to biofuel...like the local neighborhood Baghdad McDonald's!
Miulang
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