Meeting Sister Deirdre Byrne: Something out of the Ordinary

07/09/2024
By Robbin Laird I have met a wide range of people throughout my travels during my lifetime and have learned a great deal from individuals in politics, academia, the military, governments, and journalism. And through my friendship with Ed Timperlake, I have certainly met folks I would not have otherwise…

European Defense Cooperation and Military Capability: European Reflections

07/06/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - A detailed book on the European Union response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and a thoughtful research note from a European think tank point up a perceived need to boost European defense cooperation and military capability, as the U.S. prepares for a presidential election in…

Australia, a Complacent Nation … Adrift in the South Pacific?

06/29/2024
By Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn AO (Retd) and Group Captain Anne Borzycki (Retd) Australia has a lengthy history of seeking protection from great and powerful western saviours due to a long-held fear of invasion from "the north." Stunned by the withdrawal of British Forces following the surrender of Singapore in…

Eurosatory 2024: The Evolution of Land Warfare as the Wars in Ukraine and Gaza Rage On

06/28/2024
By Pierre Tran VILLEPINTE, France - There was something for everybody at Eurosatory, a trade show for land weapons and air-ground combat, which closed June 21. Above all, there was politics, domestic and international. The vast halls and outdoor displays just north of the capital were packed with every kind…

How to Shape a National Security and Defence Strategy for Australia: The Perspective of John Blaxland

06/20/2024
By Robbin Laird RSL Australia has recently released a paper by John Blaxland of the Australian National University which underscores the need for a broader Australian national defence strategy rather than one narrowly focused on the Australian Defence Force. “The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL Australia) was formed…

Ukraine War Underscores Need for Sustained Investments in U.S. Air Superiority

06/19/2024
By Richard Weitz The Ukraine War and other recent conflicts highlight the imperative of preserving U.S. air superiority. Ukraine demonstrates the challenges militaries face when they do not enjoy air superiority. In that conflict, advanced drones have provided the most effective combat air support for both the Russian and Ukrainian…

The French and the Mirage 2000-5-MICA Package to Ukraine

06/17/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - The Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet may be “an old bird,” but there was a large supply of spare parts, which will be a “big advantage” for the Ukrainian air force, a French ex-fighter pilot said. It was not clear how many of the French-built fighters…