2013-08-27 By Richard Weitz Having discussed Russia’s policies towards Iran in an earlier contribution, I thought it instructive to analyze China’s policies towards Tehran to highlight the similarities and differences in their approach, which are often overlooked. I was fortunate in having been in Beijing earlier this month attending a…
2013-08-26 by Richard Weitz Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Baku is but the latest sign of Moscow’s sustained effort to secure greater influence in the vital South Caucasus region. Putin traveled to Azerbaijan for a “working visit” on August 13 that marked his first trip the country in 2006.…
2013-08-24 By Robbin Laird A neglected aspect of the analysis of the evolution of Asian defense and security is the contribution of European defense industry. Major industrial players in Europe as in the United States are seeking global markets to remain viable and to evolve over time. Defense and security…
2013-08-24 by Robbin Laird In the recently published history of the Japanese war in China around Shanghai in 1937, Peter Harmsen has provided a rare look in English at this important campaign. The book is subtitled: Stalingrad on the Yangtze. The book focuses on a significant urban warfare campaign, in…
2013-08-22 by Michael W. Wynne, 21st Secretary, USAF Recently, Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter on the News Hour on PBS was very convincing that as the US military looks to the future, it must turn from the current engagements in the Middle East and look instead to the greater world threats. He remained…
2013-08-22 by Richard Weitz Most Russians are probably as happy as everyone else to see Iranian President Ahmadinejad leave office. His policies placed additional strains on the Russian-Iranian relationship. For example, Ahmadinejad’s unpopularity forced Moscow to distance itself from his regime, weakening Russian leverage as a potential mediator. Yet, Ahmadinejad’s…
2013-08-21 A former force commander of the joint African Union/United Nations mission in Darfur has warned that a rethink is needed on peacekeeping in Africa if it is to remain a workable objective. Nigerian General Martin Luther Agwai told a Washington workshop on enhancing peacekeeping operations in Africa the complex…
2013-08-21 by Kenneth Maxwell The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, was in Brasilia last week. He did not want to meet the press. But Itamaraty (the Brazilian Foreign Ministry) insisted that he hold a press conference with Antonio Patriota, the Brazilian chancellor (Foreign Minister). Patriota had been Brazil's ambassador in Washington. Secretary Kerry…
