This is not your father’s war.

It’s not Vietnam.

It’s not Korea.

It’s not the Cold War.

It’s not World War II.

It’s not the Great War.

The U.S. Congress wants to ban use of the terms “war on terrorism” and “Long War.” I have no dog in that fight, just so long as they understand it—and explain it and contend with it—as a war, in which the American public must be engaged.

I don’t know who dreamed up the distasteful and repellent tactic of allowing the 15 British military personnel held hostage by Iran to sell their stories to the voracious British press, but I do know that the person who gave it his okay understands reality, the war, and the stakes.

The 15 Royal Navy personnel held captive by Iran are to be allowed to sell their stories to the media.

The Ministry of Defence said their experiences amounted to “exceptional circumstances” that allowed its usual ban on such payments to be lifted.

Politicians and military commentators have attacked the move, warning the crew may lose public sympathy. …

Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: “Many people who shared the anxiety of the hostages’ abduction will feel that selling their stories is somewhat undignified and falls below the very high standards we have come to expect from our servicemen and women.”

I haven’t had time to think this through yet—it is an extraordinary turn of events. The British wartime government has decided to allow information to go deliberately out of its control. Clearly, it is a calculated strategy. To me, it looks bold, daring, risky, cunning, deeply cynical, and clever. Let us hope that it’s not too clever.