The State of Israel needs our help
First published in the Australian Jewish News on 7th November 2024, https://www.australianjewishnews.com/the-state-of-israel-needs-our-help/ © Colonel Michael Scott Three key points struck me during my recent time in Israel. First, there is currently no viable peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Second, Hamas has transformed Gaza into a highly fortified stronghold. Finally, the morale and resilience of the IDF […]
Eyes on the Wolf at the Door, Not on the Leak in the Floor
First published in the Australian Jewish News on 28th November 2024, https://www.australianjewishnews.com/eyes-on-the-wolf-at-the-door-not-on-the-leak-in-the-floor/ © Colonel Michael Scott Three main thoughts struck me over the weekend: 1. We are living in a time of profound historical significance. Near the anniversary of Kristallnacht, an actual pogrom occurred in Amsterdam. This event cost me sleep, as I had once believed in the […]
Gaslighting and Projection of Orwellian Proportion
First published in the Australian Jewish News on 20th December 2024, https://www.australianjewishnews.com/gaslighting-and-projection-of-orwellian-proportion/ © Colonel Michael Scott The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) finds itself engaged in a pivotal and agonising conflict in Gaza following the unspeakable atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. This war, however, extends far beyond the battlefield; it is also an information war […]
Should Israel Fall
First published in the Australian Jewish News on 30th January 2025, https://www.australianjewishnews.com/should-israel-fall/ © Colonel Michael Scott I was deeply moved and quite horrified by a recent speech delivered by Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Aspects of Lauder’s speech where he referred to the Holocaust […]
In This, I Am Yarden Bibas
First published in the Australian Jewish News on 21st February 2025, https://www.australianjewishnews.com/in-this-i-am-yarden-bibas/ © Colonel Michael Scott The tragic fate of the Bibas family stands as a harrowing testament to the barbarism unleashed upon Israel on October 7, 2023. Yarden Bibas, 34, his wife Shiri, 32, and their two young children—Ariel, 4, and Kfir, just 9 months old—were […]
Combating Antisemitism in Modern Australia
First published in the Australian Jewish News on 24th February 2025, https://www.australianjewishnews.com/combating-antisemitism-in-modern-australia/ © Colonel Michael Scott The Antisemitism Summit: A Defining Moment for Australia In response to the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, Sky News Australia, in collaboration with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), convened an Antisemitism Summit on February 20, 2025, at Sydney’s Central […]
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) Recommended Reading List for Military Experts on Mission – 2020
First published in The Cove on 3rd March 2020, https://cove.army.gov.au/article/united-nations-truce-supervision-organization-untso-recommended-reading-list-military-experts-mission-2020 © Colonel Michael Scott The purpose of this article is to release the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) Recommended Reading List for Military Experts on Mission – 2020 to a wider audience. The intended audience is those Australian Defence Force (ADF) officers who have been selected for, or […]
Responsibility, Accountability and Culpability – Three Cognitive Pillars to Guide Command Comprehension and Decision Making
First published in The Cove on 22nd November 2021, https://cove.army.gov.au/article/responsibility-accountability-and-culpability-three-cognitive-pillars-guide-command-comprehension-and-decision-making © Colonel Michael Scott The purpose of this article is to share some command, leadership and management wisdom I received as a junior officer which has continued to benefit and guide my thoughts and actions – and the advice I provide to junior leaders to this day. […]