14 Apr 2006
Generals Break With Tradition Over Rumsfeld

Now this is a take on the issue mentioned here earlier that I had not thought about at all. Do the challenges to Rumsfeld's leadership undermine the principle of civilian control of the military? Even some lefty scholars who dislike Rumsfeld are apparently concerned. There have been tensions between the military brass and the civil administration before, but this does seem a bit unprecedented in both scope and tenor. And I hate to say this, but on reflection the situation does remind me a bit of a novel I read several years back which speculated openly about the unthinkable. I may have to find it on the shelf and read it again.

The demands for Donald H. Rumsfeld's resignation shed light on a principle of American governance: civilian control of the military.

(link) [New York Times]

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