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prbeckman

@prbeckman.bsky.social
287 followers 253 following 491 posts

Documentary producer & director, PA Books host, drone videographer. Strategy Bridge Podcast host. Interested in books, history, art, strategy. thestrategybridge.org/the-podcast

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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 17h
"The Authoritarian Future Is Already Here: A reign of terror grips Uganda. Specifically, the reign of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the country’s belligerent and erratic military chief" www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | I Went to Uganda and Saw the Authoritarian Future
A crackdown in Uganda shows how new technologies, Chinese influence and America’s moral retreat are making the world safer for autocrats.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
"A war that was intended to demonstrate the reach of American power has now done the opposite. It is a lesson in unintended consequences." www.nytimes.com/2026/10/07/u...
nytimes.com
From Iran to the U.K., Trump Is Being Forced Into Retreat
A war that was intended to demonstrate the reach of American power has now done the opposite. It is a lesson in unintended consequences.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"How the Houthis Triumphed on the Red Sea and Sparked a New War in Yemen - In a single night, an Iran-allied militia trounced Saudi-backed forces to take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast. No one was able, or willing, to stop them." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
How the Houthis Triumphed on the Red Sea and Sparked a New War in Yemen
In a single night, an Iran-allied militia trounced Saudi-backed forces to take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast. No one was able, or willing, to stop them.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Why Everybody Loves Glen Campbell www.honest-broker.com/p/why-everyb...
honest-broker.com
Why Everybody Loves Glen Campbell
In 1960, a country boy named Glen Campbell showed up in Los Angeles with a guitar, a pompadour hairdo, and a lean, hungry look....
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"The New Latin American Theater Across the region, documentary-style works have risen to address political and economic realities." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/t...
nytimes.com
‘An Interrogation of the Truth’: The New Latin American Theater (Gift Article)
Across the region, documentary-style works have risen to address political and economic realities.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"For centuries, cargo ships allowed regular travelers to join their voyages. What happened? Less than a decade ago, giant shipping companies like Maersk Line offered paying travelers a unique way to explore the world. Pandemic restrictions changed everything." www.cnn.com/travel/cargo...
cnn.com
For centuries, cargo ships allowed regular travelers to join their voyages. What happened? | CNN
This niche travel industry once had around half a dozen major players offer international voyages. Most of them are no longer in business, but a few exciting options remain.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"How Sept. 11 Paved the Way to Mideast Power for Iran - The American invasion of Iraq in 2003 set the path for Tehran to dominate its neighbor and whetted its appetite to expand its influence across the greater Middle East." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/w...
nytimes.com
How Sept. 11 Paved the Way to Mideast Power for Iran
The American invasion of Iraq in 2003 set the path for Tehran to dominate its neighbor and whetted its appetite to expand its influence across the greater Middle East.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Stopped by the Second Story Books warehouse in Rockville and picked up a few aviation history books.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
In the mail…
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Minor Spear Carrier @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
I enjoyed sitting down with @prbeckman.bsky.social for this conversation.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
50s & 60s country had an influence on the Beatles. There were no rigid boundaries on genres. That’s one of the most fascinating things about that era.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
This was how I started building my teenage record collection in the early 1980s> After 71 Years, Columbia House Closes for Good: The Mail-Order Giant That Defined a Generation Is Gone cordcuttersnews.com/after-71-yea...
cordcuttersnews.com
After 71 Years, Columbia House Closes for Good: The Mail-Order Giant That Defined a Generation Is Gone | Cord Cutters News
Columbia House, the long-running direct-to-consumer media retailer once famous for its mail-order music clubs, is set to shut down for good on September 15, 2026. After more than seven decades in oper...
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
This morning I finished listening to the audiobook of “Nimitz at War” by Craig Symonds.
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The Strategy Bridge @thestrategybridge.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The AFPAK Hand program was a unique and at times controversial approach to the conflict in Afghanistan. Join podcast host @prbeckman.bsky.social for a conversation with @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social about the program, it’s goals, shortfalls, and outcomes. thestrategybridge.org/the-podcast
thestrategybridge.org
The Podcast
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Minor Spear Carrier @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Was a pleasure to sit down with @prbeckman.bsky.social for this conversation.
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The Strategy Bridge @thestrategybridge.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
For those interested, The Small Wars Journal is in good hands, and you can find @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social’s article in their archive here: archive.smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/han...
archive.smallwarsjournal.com
Handcuffed: The Burden of Institutional, Management and Leadership Problems on the AFPAK Hands Program | Small Wars Journal
If the DoD continues to ignore the management and leadership issues facing the APH program it can expect more of the same.
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The Strategy Bridge @thestrategybridge.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Join host @prbeckman.bsky.social for a TSB Podcast with @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social, former AFPAK Hand and author of the 2013 Small Wars Journal article “Handcuffed: The Burden of Institutional, Management, and Leadership Problems on the AFPAK Hands Program.” thestrategybridge.org/the-podcast
thestrategybridge.org
The Podcast
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
"Beware the Black Widow: The P-61, the Beaufighter, and the first air war fought in the dark." www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-ma...
smithsonianmag.com
Beware the Black Widow
The P-61, the Beaufighter, and the first air war fought in the dark.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
“How Terrorist Groups Are Using A.I. to Gain an Edge in Battle - A.I. chatbots are not just a propaganda tool for violent extremists but are aiding in bomb construction and attack planning, new research finds." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/u...
nytimes.com
How Terrorist Groups Are Using A.I. to Gain an Edge in Battle
A.I. chatbots are not just a propaganda tool for violent extremists but are aiding in bomb construction and attack planning, new research finds.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The view from Oak Ridge looking out across the field that troops from Alabama and North Carolina would march across to attack troops from Maine, NY, and Pennsylvania on July 1, 1863.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Kuerner hill on a beautiful sunny day. It’s great to have the opportunity to explore the landscape that Karl Kuerner and Andrew Wyeth painted.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Here are the detailed orders from JCS to CINCPOA and CINCSWPA outlining courses of action.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
March 1944 - "the Joint Chiefs of Staff have decided that our first major objective in the war against JAPAN will be the vital LUZON-FORMOSA-CHINA COAST Area. Strategy will be directed to attain this objective by the most direct and expeditious course possible"
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
I look forward to reading your new book! This period leading up to the Oct 3 order on Luzon is definitely interesting. I don't think people appreciate the issues relating to the Formosa op that led to this decision. This has been a major focus of my reading for the past couple of years.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
"I recommend that the Joint Chiefs of Staff issue a directive now for the progressive advance of SWPA forces into the CENTRAL PHILIPPINES to be followed by the establishment of POA forces in the FORMOSA STRAIT REGION with a target date of 15 February."
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
"If we are to obtain advantages of establishment of our forces in FORMOSA STRAIT region prior to end of typhoon season 1945 CAUSEWAY must follow as closely after LEYTE as movement and preparation of forces will permit."
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
This is interesting. Nimitz's proposal for a series of operations leading to Formosa-China Coast. Note the key role of SWPA forces in Central Philippines in his plan.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
And the next group...
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
This is the Command History of the 7th Amphibious Force which served in SWPA in WW2. And below is the list of amphibious operations the 7th executed. www.history.navy.mil/research/lib...
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
All good here. How are you doing? Enjoying retirement?
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Here is a more detailed message to King about Nimitz's planning.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
After the Yap invasion was canceled, Nimitz offered the 24th Corps (7th, 96th, and 77th Infantry Divisions) to MacArthur for the Leyte op. But he was also considering using the 24th Corps to seize Iwo Jima. That would have been an interesting alternative history.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
"Destruction of the enemy fleet is always the primary objective of our Naval Forces. Attempts by enemy fleet units to interfere with amphibious operations are both hoped for and provided against..."
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
"As concern rises in Europe over threats from an emboldened Russia, the Irish government says it’s working to plug gaps in its military, which reflect a tradition of neutrality." www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/w...
nytimes.com
Ireland, Seen as a Weak Link in Europe’s Defense, Is Trying to Bulk Up
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Nimitz's reasons for opposing OSS operations in the POA.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Good documentary on the Seattle music scene of the 80's and early 90's. - "Hype!" www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HWV...
youtube.com
Hype! | FULL MOVIE | Sub Pop, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden | Seattle Grunge Music Documentary
YouTube video by Shout! Studios
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
The draft plan for Operation Olympic, the invasion of Honshu, scheduled for 1 Nov 1945.
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🍁🍂 🎃 Diva for the Season 💚💙🏈🫶👠👑 @queenofthinair.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Every Day is Ethics Day!
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
🤔
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Make Opening Day a National Holiday @chriscardsfan.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
The third largest ground force ever fielded by the U.S. Army. Add in the independent tank battalions, RCT’s, engineer units, etc, and you have enough men to make up at least another two divisions. They conducted several dozen amphibious assaults, including 35 landings in a five week period in 1945.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
My favorite division is the 77th Infantry Div. It fought with marines to liberate Guam, then did a great flanking amphibious landing at Ormoc on Leyte, and then did a series of amphibious landings on islands near Okinawa before fighting on Okinawa. armydivs.com/77th-infantr...
armydivs.com
77th Infantry Division — US Army Divisions in World War II
The 77th Infantry Division ("Statue of Liberty") — infantry division activated 1940, serving in the Pacific Theater. 3 campaigns, 208 days of combat.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
The Army divisions in WWII website has been updated. armydivs.com/divisions?vi... These are the 21 Army divisions that served in the Pacific War.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
"Every cable news segment that explains the Trap implicitly reproduces the Chinese framing. Every article that treats the concept as settled analytical wisdom reinforces the premise that China is rising and America has to adjust."
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
"Criticism of the Thucydides Trap has been so vicious and thorough that I can organize it into five different categories" hegemon.substack.com/p/chinas-fav...
hegemon.substack.com
China's Favorite American Idea
the "Thucydides Trap" shows how bad history can succeed if it serves a purpose
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
“Is the Nonfiction Book Crisis for Real? And Are Podcasts to Blame? The Panic Makes for a Good Story. But the Numbers Tell a Different Tale.” www.millersbookreview.com/p/is-the-non...
millersbookreview.com
Is the Nonfiction Book Crisis for Real?
And Are Podcasts to Blame? The Panic Makes for a Good Story. But the Numbers Tell a Different Tale
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
In 1914, Marines robbed the Haitian national bank. If this were fiction it would be a great movie, but the fact that it’s real, well, it’s shameful.
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Today’s reading. Gangsters of Capitalism.
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
This 1952 memo from the Pentagon UFO files is superb There is no point preparing for aliens ‘because no one of consequence is going to take this rubbish seriously unless it happens. At that point, our policy will be determined in the traditional manner of grand panic.’ 🤣 www.war.gov/medialink/uf...
There likely is nothing to be done at the moment to prepare for these possibilities (the only body of writing on the subject available in an emergency is science fiction), because no one of consequence is going to take this rubbish seriously unless it happens. At that point, our policy will be determined in the traditional manner of grand panic.

Maxwell W. Hunter, II
Member, Professional Staff
7054511636
prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This is an important and relevant book to read> “The Strange Career of Jim Crow” by C. Vann Woodward global.oup.com/ushe/product...
global.oup.com
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prbeckman @prbeckman.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Ganesh Sitaraman traces the history of the airline industry from its inception until today, argues that the problems plaguing air travel today stem from the 1978 decision to deregulate the industry. hls.harvard.edu/today/airlin...
hls.harvard.edu
Airline deregulation may be why flying is such a miserable part of holiday travel - Harvard Law School
Ahead of the holiday travel season, Harvard Law graduate Ganesh Sitaraman argues in a new book that deregulating the airline industry has led to higher costs, less choice, and more misery for the flyi...
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