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…

Snap Elections and Fighters to Ukraine: President Macron Tosses a Rock into the Pond of European Politics

06/12/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - A surprise announcement from president Emmanuel Macron of the sale of the Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet to Ukraine has sparked political controversy and public debate over the arms deal. The head of state said June 6 on live national television France would enter…

Making a Good Aircraft Even Better: Osprey Modernization

06/10/2024
By Jo Ann Y. Williams, Ed.D. Attending SOF Week 2024 in Tampa recently made me reflect on the V-22 Osprey program’s past triumphs and challenges, as well as its future. Over a decade ago, I was part of a team that helped train Osprey pilots. Many of today’s Osprey squadron commanders are…

A Remembrance on D-Day: The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion

06/06/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - The 80th anniversary of D-Day June 6 1944, marks significance for the family of the late Waverly Woodson, a black army corporal and medic who landed on Omaha beach, Linda Hervieux, journalist and writer, told the Anglo-American Press Association, a press club. Hervieux is author…

Australian Defence and Deterrence: A 2024 Update

06/04/2024
We have published our latest book on Australian defence. This book is the second in the series on Australian Defence and Deterrence the first having been published in 2023. The book begins with a contribution by John Blackburn and Anne Borzycki who look at the broad impact of Australian politics…

The Coming European Elections and European Defence

06/03/2024
By  Pierre Tran Paris - France and Europe could boost their autonomy by increasing cooperation in the defense technology and industrial base rather than rely on the U.S. military umbrella, with the latter seen as increasingly uncertain, a French parliamentary report said. The authors, parliamentarians Jean-Charles Larsonneur and Jean-Louis Thiériot,…

New Korean Challenges Await Next U.S. Administration

05/28/2024
By Richard Weitz North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs will present major challenges to whoever is elected president this year. Even President Trump would find it difficult to resume his high-level diplomacy with Pyongyang. Not only has the so-called Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) made substantial progress in developing…

MajGen Benedict on His Time as CG of 2nd Marine Air Wing

05/22/2024
By Robbin Laird On May 14, 2024, I visited 2nd Marine Air Wing to have the opportunity to speak with the Commanding General of the Wing, MajGen Scott Benedict. This was two days before the change of command and his subsequent retirement after a distinguished career in the Marine Corps…