2014-06-07 By Robbin Laird The Arctic opening is a significant global event. There are a number of key stakeholders in the opening up of the Arctic, with both convergent and conflictual elements at play. Any time conflict is part of the equation, defense capabilities come into play, and they come…
2014-06-06 by Dean Wingrin The South African Air Force (SAAF) is playing host to the Gripen User Group taking place at AFB Makhado this month. The Gripen User Group (GuG) is an inter-governmental initiative between air forces around the world that currently fly the Gripen fighter jet. Representatives of countries…
2014-06-06 By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to Denmark, I had a chance to discuss the Arctic challenge with a Danish naval officer with many years of Arctic experience. Rear Admiral (Retired) Henrik Kudsk has 41 years of experience in the Danish Navy with much of that in the…
2014-06-05 By Robbin Laird In a comprehensive look at Russian strategies in the High North, Marlene Laruelle has published a recent book entitled Russia's Arctic Strategies and the Future of the Far North. The book provides a number of key elements whereby one can puzzle over the approaches which the…
2014-06-06 In the most recent Russia Direct Monthly Memo (#11 June 2014), Vassily Kashin, Senior Research Fellow at the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies focuses on what he terms “Russia Reorients to the Orient.” The Ukrainian crisis marks an important moment in Russian-Chinese relations, catalyzing the creation…
2014-06-05 Although Norway and Canada are very engaged in the Arctic area, the policy stage is still set by the Cold War superpowers Russia and the United States. Russia has a proactive policy; the United States has a reluctant policy. In 2008 after Canada, the United States, and Denmark criticized…
2014-06-04 The large engagement in Afghanistan is coming to an end. What comes next depends upon events and agreements. But for now, the US is shifting the logistics support system for its engagements in the region. In the case of airlift and air refueling, there is a shift in part…
2014-06-03 By defenceWeb The United Nations will move more into the use of high technology including UAVs and EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) robots in peacekeeping operations to confront new challenges and offer the best value for funding in future. UAVs have been deployed by MONUSCO in the DRC since late…
