By Robbin Laird The GAO’s recent report on Osprey safety draws attention to real mishaps and genuine concerns, but its framing, methods, and omissions risk reinforcing an outdated caricature of the V‑22 rather than illuminating the actual safety problems the force faces. A more rigorous and operationally grounded assessment shows…
The passing of Harald Malmgren in February 2025 marked the end of an era in international economic diplomacy and policy analysis. A trusted advisor to U.S. presidents, a visionary academic, and one of the cornerstones of modern trade negotiation strategy, Malmgren’s legacy spans over six decades of shaping global economic…
By Robbin Laird In 2020, Murielle Delaporte and I published a book examining what we termed "the return of direct defense" in Europe. Our central argument challenged conventional thinking about European security: defending Europe in the 2020s requires moving beyond traditional military deterrence to embrace a broader strategic concept that…
Michael W. Wynne’s wide-ranging career has influenced American defense innovation from every angle, military service, executive leadership in industry, transformative public service, and a continuing role as an advisor and champion of technological advancement. His legacy extends well beyond his time as Secretary of the Air Force, shaping the very…
CAMP PENDLETON, California By Robbin Laird On Friday December 5, 2205, I was at Camp Pendleton and watched the air insertion element of the Embassy Reinforcement Exerice which is part of Steel Knight 2025. In the sprawling urban training complex at Camp Pendleton, I witnessed the aviation insertion component of…
By Robbin Laird The V-22 Osprey continues to generate controversy in defense media, but a recent opinion piece in Stars and Stripes argues that the aircraft has become a victim of lazy journalism rather than a genuine safety crisis. Retired Marine Colonel Anthony Krockel, who commanded a V-22 squadron during…
By Pierre Tran Paris - The chief executives of Airbus Defence and Space and Dassault Aviation are seen to be holding the future of European military cooperation in corporate hands, with a Dec. 18 deadline reported to be looming for a new fighter jet project. That mid-December deadline refers to…
By Robbin Laird This week I am visiting Third Marine Air Wing and observing their Steel Knight exercise. And what I will learn will complement what I have observed over the years when visiting the Second Marine Air Wing (2nd MAW) since 2009 The USMC aviation force at a critical…
