2015-01-12 During our last interview with the then head of the Military Sealift Command, Admiral Buzby, the reinvention of the Ponce was a focus of attention. In an article published on April 12, 2012 we highlighted the importance of the reinvention. The USS Ponce (LPD-15) was launched on 20 May…
2015-01-12 For the first time, the new Australian airborne early warning and C2 aircraft is operating in combat. Australia’s Air Task Group (ATG) consisting of six RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft continue to support Operation…
2015-01-11 According to a December 20, 2014 story on the Italian Defense website, the Defense Minister’s visit last Fall to Egypt has led to a new Egyptian-Italian agreement on defense cooperation. Cooperation between Italy and Egypt is stronger. Today, in fact, Minister Pinotti and her Egyptian counterpart, Gen Sobhi, have…
2014-12-14 By Robbin Laird The F-35 is entering service at a critical juncture when air and ground dynamics are being linked in new ways. A 360 degree sensing aircraft which can do close air support and other air superiority missions in new ways, the F-35 will become a staple of…
2015-01-08 By Richard Weitz The new Russian military doctrine adopted shortly before Christmas [available on the Kremlin website makes somewhat clearer Russian leaders’ current threat perceptions and national security priorities. This iteration, which more accurately reflects Russian government statements, is the fourth since the Russian Federation became an independent country…
2015-01-03 As a new member of the Euro, Lithuania becomes the third Baltic state to join the pact. Clearly, this is about politics as well as economics, and joining is seen as a buffer to the Russians. As noted in a Reuters piece published on December 31, 2014: Lithuania joined…
2015-01-02 Lest one is delusional about the leadership of the PRC, one can look at its latest move to bolster Putin against pressures from the West, pressures which originated from the Russian seizure of Ukraine. China and Russia have a long and complicated relationship of allies, competitors, rivals and friends.…
2015-01-02 By Robbin Laird 1914 was a year, which marked the end of an era; although the inevitability of this change was evident after the events set in motion that year had their full effect. History has an inevitability about it, which is not experienced by those living through that…
