We have a report that the US has blocked attempts by its Middle East allies to fly heavy weapons directly to the Kurds fighting Islamic State jihadists in Iraq. Just which side are we on?

Not surprisingly, we also have a report that morale among American uniformed-but-disarmed services is at its lowest point since records have been kept, due to no leadership, uncaring brass and administration, forces/equipment/support cut to the bone, lack of goals, lack of trust of the troops, and emasculated senior commanders.

Continuing with this week’s news, the Army is planning to cut 40,000 soldiers from its ranks over the next two years at home and abroad, even though in 2013 it argued in budgetary documents that going below the resulting number (about 450,000) might mean it could not win a war. Add to that another 17,000 civilian employees to be cut, and if Congress does not avert upcoming budget cuts in October, the Army will have to lay off another 30,000 soldiers on top of the 40,000.

I don’t make it up, I just report it.