Tug-of-wars are a common exercise in military training.

One technique is to show a brief burst of weakness, just long enough to make the opponents think they can relax, while actually repositioning one's footing to do a harder pullback in the next moment after.

If the opponent simply keeps pulling as hard as they can, this gambit may fail. It relies on the opponent being tired and less aggressive.

This is the American military industrial complex freeing #Assange - it's an instant of slack in the line and it will make people relax before the next, more intense pullback.

Not me. I'm very reassured by the news that the American military industrial complex is struggling so badly they need to try a gambit like this. I'm not relaxed by it. I know it's a sure sign this is the time for powering on at full throttle.