2012-12-14 by Richard Weitz On November 15, 2012, U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta signed a joint vision statement with Thailand’s Defense Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, affirming and renewing the Thai-U.S. military partnership. The joint vision statement highlight four areas of future bilateral defense cooperation: regional security in Southeast Asia; supporting stability in the…
2012-12-14 by Kenneth Maxwell Brazil's military has been flexing its muscles recently. But major problems remain in shaping effective capabilities and an effective role within Brazilian foreign and security policies. Nonetheless, Brazil is redefining the role of its armed forces and making major decisions on the procurement of new equipment in the…
2012-12-13 by Richard Weitz The protracted negotiations concerning China’s possible purchase of an enormous volume of Russian natural gas has been a prominent agenda item at Russian-Chinese leadership summits for years. Expectations had been high for years that an agreement might soon be imminent, but the parties have proved unable…
2012-12-13 by Richard Weitz Nuclear energy is a part of overall Chinese security policy, but a fairly limited one. At present, China’s 11 operating nuclear reactors produce less than 2% of the country’s electricity, compared with over 25 percent in Japan and approximately 75 percent in France. Despite the nuclear…
2012-12-13 By Robbin Laird Leadership always looks easy in the rear view mirror. We often hear that it was easier in the Cold War because the landscape was so black and white. Now it is much harder, we are frequently told, because the enemy is diffuse, complex and asymmetric. When…
2012-12-13 by Robbin Laird President Obama has declared the Syrian preparation for possible use of chemical weapons a “red line” and the NATO alliance has responded also along these lines. A “red line” should mean something when it has been crossed and if you declare a “red line” to someone…
2012-12-12 In the first piece from our interview with Col. Michael Orr, VMX-22 squadron commander, we focused on the co-location of the F-35 squadrons, MAWTS and VMX-22 and its impact on innovation. In this second part, Col. Orr discusses some of the consequences of having such a process in place.…
2012-12-11 By Robbin Laird We recently interviewed General Jacoby the dual hatted NORTHCOM and NORAD Commander. This inteview will be published in the near future, and focuses upon the Arctic as a strategic challenge and opportunity. [caption id="attachment_48434" align="alignnone" width="300"] WASHINGTON (February 9, 2007) A Coast Guard helicopter passes over Washington…
