Comments

Tom..

I agree and I nominate General Kevin Chilton to become the first Czar. This former fighter pilot, NASA astronaut, and current incumbent in the job at Strat. Comm. would be a good start. He also currently controls US nuclear capabilities and other assets so he knows a good deal about the old C20th and the new C21st war making capacity of Nation-States around the globe.

He could be seconded to the White House for 2 years to begin the process. They will have to prototype some models for how this new function fits with President (Elect) Obama's new anti-terrorism policy settings.

This appointment needs to leave a "light footprint" on the White House and yet be central to the new vision for policy formulation and implementation within the White House. There is much thinking and gaming to be done to come up with a US defense policy that moves on beyond the war in Iraq and Afghanistan/Pakistan.

Resolution of the Iran nuclear threat. Cessation of hostilities with Syria. Accommodation of Israel in the new cyberspace and ant-terrorism policy settings, etc. Much to do and so little time.....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at December 9, 2008 3:39 PM

Sure, they have my support for a Cyber Czar, but only if they abolish some other position of equal or higher rank in the Administration.

And the same goes for the Car Czar, Bank Czar, City Czar, ....

Posted by Mike L. at December 10, 2008 1:07 AM

Some Cyberspace realities - the terrorists who attacked Mumbai used GPS to navigate, Google Earth to map the terrain, and VoIP phones to communicate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/world/asia/09mumbai.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Jay, from Bangalore

Posted by Jayakumar Hariharan at December 10, 2008 1:29 AM

After watching Good Night And Good Luck last week, would the thought of Czars in the White House have Joe McCarthy spinning in his box? But it is a good idea though...The Czar, not Joe McCarthy spinning in his box!

Posted by Keith Rickaby at December 10, 2008 7:24 AM

Well said, Mike. Atterntion is necessary, but too many czaers ...

Maybe the Cyberczar, loose nuclear material czar, report to the General Jones at the NSC. Car czar, bank czar report to Summers--though Summers shouldn't be managing people.

On the one hand, this means concentration of power in the West Wing, which is always purely political in its judgements. On the other, getting lost at the likes of the DHS or DOD or State may be an even bigger risk.

???????

Posted by tom peters at December 10, 2008 7:46 AM

Noticed in the WSJ that the Obama team was also considering an energy czar. Isn't that otherwise known as the "Secretary of Energy"?

Posted by Bruce at December 10, 2008 9:39 AM

Maybe we can work more effectively with Putin if we have a lot of Czars and Deputy-czars?

Posted by tom peters at December 10, 2008 10:42 AM

I do love the term Czar - given what the original meaning was applying it to any form of democratic gov is amusing!

Posted by PaulH at December 10, 2008 10:52 AM

Czars we have them in spades in the UK, our relationship with Russia is at an all time low, don't hold your breath on this one Tom.

BTW, we have Drug, Watchdog, Crime, you name it Czars!

Posted by Patrick at December 11, 2008 8:41 AM

Tom never met a Tzar he didn't like. If urine testing can be included somewhere, he would probably take the job himself.

Posted by miles at December 13, 2008 4:17 PM

Miles - In the spirit of the words of the very funny honorable Senator John McCain to David Letterman the other night I offer this: If you think Tom Peters is going to bleeping respond to such a bleeping comment, well, bleep you. Am I laughing?

Posted by Judith Ellis at December 14, 2008 8:55 AM