The Nordics, the UK and the Ukrainian Crisis

01/23/2022
In our co-authored book on the return of direct defense in Europe, we highlighted the importance of enhanced Nordic defense cooperation and NORDEFCO as a coordinating forum, and the high probability that the UK post-Brexit would deepened its relationship with the Nordics as they, in turn, deepened their defense cooperation.…

The Czech Republic Rallies Support for Ukraine

01/23/2022
“Czech Republic is, historically, politically, and alliance-bound to take the side of Ukraine. If Ukraine needs this, we will try to help”, said the head of the Czech MoD, Jana Černochova, stressing the help would be provided based on requirements expressed by the Ukrainian government. The government in Prague noted…

The Ukrainian Situation: The Perspective of the UK Minister of Defence

01/23/2022
On January 17, 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence published an article by Ben Wallace, the Minister of Defence, with regard to the Ukrainian situation. That article follows: Minister of Defence, Ben Wallace I have lost count of how many times recently I have to had to explain the meaning…

A Perspective on Ukrainian Security: The Changing European Order

01/23/2022
https://sldinfo.com/2022/01/the-nordics-the-uk-and-the-ukrainian-crisis/By Robbin Laird The current Ukraine situation is part of a chain of events. And as such, the Russian threat to Ukrainian sovereignty is simply not about Ukraine. It is about the stability of the current European order. Of course, those with historical knowledge understand that any European order is…

Osprey Major Redesign Effort: Modified CV-22s Arrive at Cannon Air Force Base

01/21/2022
According to the USAF: “U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron familiarize themselves with the new nacelle improvement modifications on a CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Jan. 7, 2022. "The improvements should increase aircraft availability and reduce required maintenance actions, leading…

Team Tempest Reinforced by Japanese-UK Engine Agreement

01/20/2022
Both the UK and Japan are working towards their next fighter aircraft. Both are members of the F-35 enterprise and can build on that operational experience as well. The Japanese are looking in their F-X program to replace their F-2 aircraft; and the UK is looking beyond its current generation…

The Afghan Winter 2022 and Afghan Sanctions

01/17/2022
By Pierre Tran Paris - There was perhaps a faint echo of sweeping U.S. sanctions against Vietnam after 1975, as the people of Afghanistan face a winter of starvation due to international restrictions on humanitarian aid and on the Afghan banking system. News pictures of a chaotic evacuation of Afghan…

Final Report: Australia and Shaping a Sovereign Space Strategy

01/17/2022
On 1 December 2021, the Williams Foundation held its second 2021 seminar, this one focused on shaping a way ahead for a sovereign Australian space strategy. That report can be found on the Williams Foundation website as well as on Second Line of Defense and Defense.info. Since 2018, the focus…