By Robbin Laird China has expanded its maritime reach as it modernizes its navy and air force. And has done so through a “buy in strategy” but one that is challenged as well with its approach to “gray zone operations” in the region as well. In a recent article by…
While the EU puts together an initial response to the challenge of Chinese investments and infrastructure ownership in Europe, Italy and France this week signaled sovereign decisions to shape their own approaches within the evolving context. Two articles in the EUObserver published this week provide insights into the priorities of…
The role of the US warfighting centers at Nelllis, Fallon and Yuma MCAS have become increasingly significant as the US and the allies shape a new appraoch to Warfighting — the kill web. The recent RAND report on the US dealing with adversary forces continues their long tradition of taking…
By Robbin Laird My visits to the UK and Australia over the past five years indicate growing working relationships between the two air forces but also that the significant rethink in Australia about shaping a fifth-generation combat force has clearly had its impact and resonance in the United Kingdom as…
The Japanese along with the USAF and the USN are trained to operate the Osprey at the USMC’s New River Air Station. The increased number of aircraft and partners is providing a welcome challenge to the Marines at New River. In a recent visit to 2nd MAW, the training role…
By James Bosbotinis The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) published an unclassified assessment of Chinese military developments on 15 January 2019. The report, China Military Power: Modernizing a Force to Fight and Win, disclosed that China is developing ‘new medium- and long-range stealth bombers to strike regional and global targets’, thus confirming long-standing…
With the continuing threat from North Korea and the Chinese pushing out their perimeter of operations, Japan has had little choice than to enhance the capabilities of their forces and push their operational reach out to the Japanese perimeter. According to a recent story in Japan Times published on March…
By Robbin Laird I am writing a three-part series to deal with some lessons learned from the 1980s which provided some insights with the current challenge of dealing with Russia. The Cold War is over; but the Russians are back. This is NOT the Cold War; and we do not…
