Military links
 

Because of AC Slater's post on the top ten land powers (which confused the hell out of me - you ought to give the answer AC), I am trying to research military power. I'm looking for good links that break down military strengths and weaknesses of the major countries or sites that talk about current military technology. I want to educate myself more about stuff like the capabilities and weaknesses of say an M1A1 tank, or how fighter jets match up. I'm interested in modern military strategy and capabilities of nations.

Any and all link and/or book suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Disclaimer, below is my motivation for making this post. This might hijack the thread a little bit and is certainly an overkill of information. This doesn't need to be read (and probably shouldn't be) if you don't care]

I'm really looking to learn about this because I am very confused, politically, right now. I was a military isolationist libertarian before 911 (meaning I was against all projection of US military power) and after I rashly embraced neocon interventionism. Lately, I am questioning the wisdom of my last shift in foriegn policy thinking. I supported the war in Iraq and now am beginning to think that it was a mistake. I am slipping back toward my earlier isolationism (military that is - I am very pro trade and immigration) but I want to educate myself before I confidently take a new stand. I want my opinions to be formed based on reason and not emotion, which I will admit was the cause of my first shift in thought. The reason I'm telling all you this is to let you know that you are dealing with a blank slate here and I encourage all the partisons to supply politically pointed sites and/or books. I want to consider all sides with an open mind. I am setting aside all pretense and prior convictions. I want to form my political views anew.

Re: Military links
 

Funny you should ask. I'm currently reading some stuff from here:
https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil/

Cool manuals like tactics for mortars or sniping. I don't know how much that's going to help you form an opinion regarding our foreign policy strategy, but it's interesting military strategy nonetheless.

Re: Military links
 

[ QUOTE ]
Funny you should ask. I'm currently reading some stuff from here:
https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil/

Cool manuals like tactics for mortars or sniping. I don't know how much that's going to help you form an opinion regarding our foreign policy strategy, but it's interesting military strategy nonetheless.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sweet. This is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks, this is a good start.

As far as helping me form an opinion; the way I see it, I can't have an intelligent opinion on military foriegn policy without first having a better understanding than I do now of military tactics, strategies, and capabilities. This is the begining point in my search and there are many more stops along the way. I won't be surprised if it will take me a decade to find all the answers I'm looking for.

Re: Military links
 

Go to the library and look up the various volumes in the annual Jane's defense series.

try this one.........
 

[ QUOTE ]
Because of AC Slater's post on the top ten land powers (which confused the hell out of me - you ought to give the answer AC), I am trying to research military power. I'm looking for good links that break down military strengths and weaknesses of the major countries or sites that talk about current military technology. I want to educate myself more about stuff like the capabilities and weaknesses of say an M1A1 tank, or how fighter jets match up. I'm interested in modern military strategy and capabilities of nations.

Any and all link and/or book suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Disclaimer, below is my motivation for making this post. This might hijack the thread a little bit and is certainly an overkill of information. This doesn't need to be read (and probably shouldn't be) if you don't care]

I'm really looking to learn about this because I am very confused, politically, right now. I was a military isolationist libertarian before 911 (meaning I was against all projection of US military power) and after I rashly embraced neocon interventionism. Lately, I am questioning the wisdom of my last shift in foriegn policy thinking. I supported the war in Iraq and now am beginning to think that it was a mistake. I am slipping back toward my earlier isolationism (military that is - I am very pro trade and immigration) but I want to educate myself before I confidently take a new stand. I want my opinions to be formed based on reason and not emotion, which I will admit was the cause of my first shift in thought. The reason I'm telling all you this is to let you know that you are dealing with a blank slate here and I encourage all the partisons to supply politically pointed sites and/or books. I want to consider all sides with an open mind. I am setting aside all pretense and prior convictions. I want to form my political views anew.

[/ QUOTE ]


worthwhile & informative link below.....

http://www.militaryfactory.com/count...son_detail.asp

Re: Military links
 

FAS has some good info on military hardware and another really good site is GlobalSecurity.org . Also look for the Army, Navy, and Air Force War Colleges websites, they may or may not have useful info.

Re: Military links
 

[ QUOTE ]
weaknesses of say an M1A1 tank,

[/ QUOTE ] almost none.