Global Slowdown and Decelerating World Trade

08/13/2012
2012-08-13  by Harald Malmgren The slowdown in the US is reflective of the global economic slowdown, with some other parts of the world already in recession. All export-dependent economies are likely to suffer from continuing loss of momentum in world trade. Very few economists in the US and around the…

The Emergence of the Dragon Eagle?

08/12/2012
2012-08-12 by Ed Timperlake Is it Time for a Counterintelligence Damage Assessment? In a recent article in the Wichita Business Journal, the CEO of Hawker Beechcraft reaffirms that there is no defense conflict in Superior deal to sell the company to a Chinese company. Boisture points out that when it comes to the King…

French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) During the Libyan Operations

08/10/2012
2012-08-10 By Murielle Delaporte Based on interviews with two of the operational leaders for the assault and maneuver helicopter battalion operating off the French aircraft carriers -- BPCs (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement) -- during the Libyan operation, it is clear that there are challenges and opportunities which air mobility…

The VA Black Hole: Where Warriors are Becoming Backlog

08/10/2012
2012-08-10 On our companion site Second Line of Defense Forum, we have published an interesting piece by Al Poteet on the VA situation.  As he puts it, “Warriors used to be applauded at sports stadiums.  Now they are backlog.” Mr. Poteet is a former Army gunship pilot with two tours in…

Constraints on Iranian Influence in Iraq

08/09/2012
2012-08-09  By Richard Weitz Now that all U.S. combat forces have left Iraq, Iranians believe that the Iraqi government will become even more cooperative on matters of importance to Tehran. Similarly, al-Maliki’s recent confrontational policies with Iraqi Sunnis and Kurds, much to the dismay of Turkey and the United States,…

One Step Closer to Yuma: The F-35B Progresses on Weapons Certification

08/09/2012
2012-08-09 This Fall, the first F-35B squadron will be set up and getting ready for operations in 2013. This squadron will be stood up at the Yuma Air Station in Arizona. According to a Lockheed press release: The F-35 Lightning II accomplished a significant test milestone Aug. 8 when the…

Iran: Ankara’s Partner or Rival?

08/07/2012
2012-08-07  by Richard Weitz Turkish analysts are well aware of Iran’s considerable influence in Iraq. Tehran disposes of several important assets in the country, including (like Turkey) geographic proximity, a newly self-conscious and empowered Shiite majority that appreciates Iran’s centrality to the Shiite faith, and influential pro-Iranian factions embedded within…