Ukraine's defense of its homeland has demonstrated a remarkable evolution in modern military strategy, showcasing how a defending nation can leverage both established military doctrine and cutting-edge innovation to counter a numerically superior adversary. The Ukrainian approach represents a new paradigm in what we might call a hybrid operational force…
By Debalina Ghoshal Modern warfare operates in an increasingly contested environment where adversaries possess not only advanced weapon systems but also sophisticated cyber capabilities that can disrupt critical defense technologies. The complexity of contemporary missile defense systems requires seamless integration between multiple subsystems and the main weapon platform. As demonstrated…
The 2025 iteration of Exercise Iron Fist represents a significant milestone in U.S.-Japan military cooperation, with American Marines and Japanese forces conducting their largest bilateral amphibious training exercise in Japan's strategically vital southwest islands region. Running from February 19 through March 7, 2025, this exercise showcased the evolving partnership between…
Operation Spider Web stands as the most sophisticated drone warfare operation in modern military history, representing the culmination of Ukraine's remarkable transformation from drone technology importer to global innovator. On June 1, 2025, Ukraine's Security Service executed a coordinated strike using 117 drones across five Russian airbases spanning 4,300 kilometers,…
By Robbin Laird I gave one of first public presentations certainly by an outsider in Israel on the F-35 at the annual airpower conference held by the Fischer Institute in Tel Aviv on May 25, 2011. I gave a presentation on fifth generation aircraft which highlighted how the coming of…
A recent Forbes analysis by retired Air Force General David Deptula examines how Ukraine's innovative drone strikes are reshaping military doctrine — and exposing American weaknesses When Ukrainian forces launched coordinated drone attacks against four Russian airbases on June 1, 2025, they weren't just destroying enemy aircraft — they were…
In the early hours of June 13, 2025, Israel launched the most significant military operation against Iran since the Iran-Iraq War, with the F-35I "Adir" stealth fighter playing a pivotal role in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed "Operation Rising Lion." The operation represents a watershed moment in Middle…
By Robbin Laird The era of autonomous maritime operations has quietly arrived, moving beyond experimental trials to become operational reality. A recent conversation with Robert Dane, CEO of OCIUS, underscores how autonomous vessels are fundamentally changing naval operations—and why traditional naval thinking must evolve to harness their potential. OCIUS's journey…
