5GW Theory Timeline

A consideration of John Robb’s and Thomas P. M. Barnett’s recent explorations of fifth generation warfare.

On Thomas Barnett’s 5GW speculation:

• “Not very secret, is it?” — It would inspire domestic and foreign opposition; this is a nod to the idea that 5GW requires secrecy.


• “I wish he would stop thinking about other countries for a bit and think about the American psyche.” — referring to Thomas Barnett’s idea that America could welcome a “false” defeat in order to shape views in China and the Gap; the implication is that shaping domestic memes is also very important.


• “I do like Barnett’s thinking, however, and he’s far more right than wrong…”

On John Robb’s 5GW speculations:

His method is disingenuous, to say the least, since he has previously:

1. Argued that GG is 4GW; because ‘Lind said so’.
2. Argued that it’s just too, too early to call 5GW. (And this less than a week ago!) Even worse, he usually says such things while saying, in effect, I agree with Lind: too early to call ‘er!
3. And now, he pulls a Lind, steals a title, and his destruction-oriented mythical creatures have become 5GW Warriors

However, with respect to John Robb, “Robb may be more right than wrong, at least on some particulars”:

…as I’ve argued before, Robb’s outlining a phenomenon rather than a generation of warfare or any type of coherent operational methodology. When I read GG, I pay close attention to what Robb is saying, because he is in large part describing a significant aspect of the environment that will face us…

— that follows a consideration of the role of non-state actors, or what John Robb calls “Global Guerrillas,” which concludes with the assertion that John Robb has failed to consider the role of “angels” in the system who might naturally oppose the “demons” he has drawn for us to consider.

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