The wise man in the storm prays to God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm. – Anon
A continuation of my “fiction” series (see note at end).
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Two figures sat quietly, observing the monitors before them in silence. Reports flowed in, relaying information that suggested that the many years of planning were about to produce the result that they had invested so much in.
One of them cleared his throat and broke the silence. “The last pieces appear to be falling in place”, he observed quietly.
“Indeed”, his companion replied. “Our operatives have guided the President of the United States to take a proactive stand with his country’s cyber defenses. He now understands the importance of taking a first strike approach with American cyber technology under the guise of protecting and promoting American national interests. In time, our operatives will leak the cyphers to the Americans that will provide access to the Russian and Chinese missile launch systems so that the Americans can penetrate and deactivate the systems remotely. It will be too tempting a target to ignore.”
“And the other part of the equation?” the first figure asked.
Without taking his eyes off the monitors, his companion replied. “Leaders in China and Russia will soon be alerted that American spies have obtained the information needed to undermine their defense systems and intel will be provided to suggest that the Americans are planning a first strike as a result. The Russians and Chinese will also be advised that such a cyber attack is imminent and cannot be prevented.”
“And how do you think the Chinese and Russians will respond to that?” the first figure replied.
“How else?” replied his companion. “In light of facing a first strike, they have no option but to launch a first strike of their own while they still can. The Americans will reply in kind.”
“But surely this doesn’t serve our objectives, to have the entire planet laid to waste”, the first figure protested.
“Of course not”, said his companion, turning to face the other figure. “But in order to achieve our intention, we need to bring the citizens of the world a little closer to the edge.”
“And what if they get too close to the edge too quickly?” the first figure asked.
“That would be unfortunate”, conceded his companion. “However, I believe the contingencies we have in place, both in the United Nations as well as in several other private groups who are meeting as we speak, provide a sufficient safety margin. We haven’t invested time and energy into those groups without a purpose, you know.”
“And how are the other initiatives proceeding - in the investment community and in Washington?” asked the first figure.
“An artificially propped up market and intentionally suppressed gold prices are serving their purpose to bring various individuals and organizations within our sphere of influence. As for Washington, feeding them guidance on what they should do next and then leaking knowledge of the resulting actions is sufficiently keeping everyone off balance. It also reminds the leaders who is really in charge.”
The first figure nodded, paused for a moment and then spoke. “I find it difficult to believe that no one sees this coming”, he commented.
“Many see it coming”, replied his companion. “However, one of our greatest successes in this campaign is to create an environment where the citizens of the world fear knowledge and are cynical towards anyone who appears to have insight. Much work has gone into propping up financial, spiritual, political and societal experts and then having them discredited. Eventually no one knows what to believe and chooses to believe no one.”
“It almost sounds too easy”, the first figure replied. “And the Syrian situation?”
“Ah, yes, the Syrians”, replied the companion, passing off his best attempt at a smile. “Any great fireworks show starts with a spark, does it not?”
The first figure grunted in acknowledgment and both figures turned their attention back to the information before them.
To be continued.
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© 2013 – Harry Tucker – All Rights Reserved
Addendum:
This series, a departure from my usual musings, is inspired as a result of conversations with former senior advisors to multiple Presidents of the United States, senior officers in the US Military and other interesting folks.
While this musing is just “fiction” and a departure from my musings on technology, strategy, politics and society, as a strategy guy, I do everything for a reason and with a measurable outcome in mind. :-)
This “fictional” musing is continued from ……
The Master of Distraction – May 15, 2013
Living on the Edge – How Close Do You Dare - March 29, 2013
Preventing A Disaster – Or Preparing To Survive One - November 29, 2012)
Divide and Conquer - August 5, 2012
Financial Crisis – March 11, 2008
There is benefit to reading those first (oldest to newest) but it is not required.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high.
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