President Trump and the Middle East: What Next?

12/28/2018
By Richard Weitz Turkish President Erdoğan’s warning that he would soon send his military forces into the region of Syria where U.S. forces are operating was apparently the immediate factor prompting President Donald Trump’s decision to announce the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Syria. These Special Forces have been in…

The Indian Navy and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean

12/28/2018
By Vice Adm S Sinha (Retd) Thus far the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has been law abiding and stable maritime region permitting smooth flow of world trade. Sea Lanes of communication criss-cross the Indian Ocean after negotiating restricted passages, i.e., Straits of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden and Straits of Malacca.…

Russia’s New Venezuelan Base: The Evolving Strategic Context

12/26/2018
By Stephen Blank There was a time when the mere mention of a projected Russian (or Soviet) air or naval base in Latin America would have immediately generated a firestorm in Washington. Those times are now long gone. The announcement that Russia is obtaining a long-term base on the island…

A Look Back on French Air Force Participation in Trident Juncture 2018

12/23/2018
From October 25 through November 7, 2018, four Mirage 2000s and 70 airmen participated in Trident Juncture 2018. “ This major exercise of NATO has allowed the French pilots to develop their expertise in a context of multilateral cooperation and in extreme climatic conditions.” [maxgallery id="122206"] “Located beyond the Arctic Circle,…

An Update on the Sally B: Flying in Formation with a Chinook

12/22/2018
By B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe Sally B’s last air display of the 2018 display season was at the Battle of Britain air show at Duxford on the 29/30 September, this was a hugely delightful show, where else would you see 18 Spitfires in formation – what a sight! Thus, our…

24th MEU completes Exercise Trident Juncture 2018

12/21/2018
During the exercise, the 24thMEU exercised its amphibious capabilities. In a story by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale, 24thMEU, published on November 13, 2018, the mission was highlighted. Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Iceland and Norway during October and November,…

RAAF and USAF Christmas Drop in the Pacific

12/21/2018
From 05-18 December 2018, the Royal Australian Air Force joined the United States Pacific Air Forces and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) for Operation Christmas Drop, the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift operation. [maxgallery id="122143"] Launching from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, C-130J Hercules aircraft delivered donated…

Crossing an Ocean for Trident Juncture 18

12/21/2018
Although questions have been raised about trans-Atlantic solidarity, the Trident Juncture 18 exercise was a demonstration of its reality.    The bond between North America and NATO was underscored when the United States and Canada sent thousands of troops to Europe for exercise Trident Juncture 2018. Since its founding in…