Friday’s Reading List
By Taylor Marvin
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius submitting Sassanid king Khosrau II, 1170. Via Wikimedia.
What I read this week:
Robert Farley again argues that the US military’s sea-air-land separation reflects interservice politics rather than the needs of joint warfighting, and that the USAF should be absorbed into the USA and USN. I look forward to Farley’s book on the subject.
James Fearon finds global militaries to be “an industry in decline.” Somewhat relatedly, how to reorientate towards a cheaper, stronger US military.
Brad Plummer talks to Marc Lynch, who elaborates on why the US should cut aid to Egypt. Daniel Larison agrees.
Mohamed El Dahshan describes the violence: “I want to write about the mosques that have been used as morgues, the stench of death covering the habitual smell of incense…”
On Twitter, Nate Schenkkan makes an interesting point arguing that if it wasn’t for mass migrations, Central American governments would suffer the same upheavals as the Middle East’s.
Dexter Filkins on Turkey’s show trials.
Kevin Drum flags how not to sell UAVs — and don’t forget not to call them drones!
More early-week linkage at Political Violence @ a Glance.
Smoke & Stir 
