Author Archive

Gregory D. Lee

Last week the Obama Administration announced that it is delaying a decision to build an international pipeline from Canada to U.S. refineries until it can further study alternative routes and safety concerns. The president said, “We should take the time to ensure that all questions are properly addressed and all the potential impacts are properly understood.” According to the Associated Press, his decision will most likely delay a decision on constructing the pipeline until after the 2012 presidential elections.

So much for this “shovel ready” project that would have lessened America’s dependence on Middle East oil by at least 700,000 barrels of oil a day, enhanced national security and provide upwards of 20,000 good paying U.S. jobs. As it turns out, according to the AP, some liberal donors threatened to withhold campaign contributions to Obama’s re-election if he approved the project. Think that might have influenced the president’s decision to shelve the pipeline?

Read the rest of this entry »

Gregory D. Lee

After forgoing my weekly columns for a year while on active duty as an Army reserve officer, I’m back. I retire today after 39 years, four months and three days of active and reserve service. But who’s counting?

The last year has been a whirlwind of experiences. I reported to the Special Operations Command Europe in Stuttgart, Germany as a special law enforcement advisor for the Commanding General (CG) and Director of Joint Intelligence. By February, I was in Kabul, Afghanistan researching the “Rule of Law” counter-insurgency strategy and the Afghan legal system. I also worked on developing a template for special operation forces in conducting what is called “Evidence Based Operations.”

The essence of the strategy is to show the populace that the Afghan central government is strong, relevant and capable of enforcing its laws and bringing criminals to justice. The strategy changes the rules of engagement for special operations forces from killing or capturing the enemy to assisting Afghan police forces in arresting insurgents in most, but not all cases.

Read the rest of this entry »