2012-10-07 by Richard Weitz A defining feature of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy since independence has been its territorial dispute with its western neighbor Armenia. Both fought a brutal war in the early 1990s over a region called Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict continues to fester, as Nagorno-Karabakh’s status remains uncertain and both nations…
2012-10-05 In a discussion with Phil Klendworth, head of site activation for the F-35 at Lockheed Martin, we focused on the new infrastructure being built to house the F-35. Site activation is an important part of any new program, especially so for the F-35 with its new hangers being built appropriately…
2012-10-05 by Richard Weitz According to the Russian media, the Azerbaijani government is about to renew Russia’s lease of a radar station at Gabala in Azerbaijan. Russia is now paying $7 million dollars annually to lease the radar. Until recently, Azerbaijan was demanding $300 million yearly rent to extend the lease…
2012-10-05 by Richard Weitz By acknowledging his party’s defeat in Monday’s parliamentary elections, President Mikhail Saakashvili has ensured his positive reputation in Georgian history. The first peaceful and legal transfer of power between opposing political forces has occurred in Georgia’s history. As the birthplace of Stalin, this is no mean accomplishment.…
2012-10-03 by Richard Weitz According to the Russian media, the Azerbaijani government is about to renew Russia’s lease of a radar station at Gabala in Azerbaijan. The station, built in 1985, can detect missile launches at a distance up to 6,000 kilometers, or much of the Middle East. The became…
2012-10-02 by Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird One of the threatening impacts of the CNN policy approach is that problems not dealt with are forgottened, but not resolved. Threats not dealt with an eliminated in an earlier moment simply do not go away because your attention span is one day…
2012-10-01 By Richard Weitz Japanese-U.S. security ties have experienced recurring Japanese worries about strategic abandonment by Washington. Such concerns could be realized either as part of a general U.S. strategic disengagement from East Asian security issues, or by obtaining a denuclearization deal with North Korea, or by deepening ties with…
2012-09-30 By Richard Weitz During the Cold War, the core bargain was that the United States would defend Japan against external attack while the Japanese government would contribute to its immediate self-defense and offer generous financial and other support, including hosting U.S. military facilities on Japanese territory. American strategists consider…