2012-09-25 Richard Weitz has brought the following interview to the attention of the Second Line of Defense team. In this interview, a Chinese expert underscores the potential impact of the first Chinese aircraft carrier on PRC operations in the Pacific. Naval expert Li Jie said that China's first aircraft carrier,…
2012-09-24 By Richard Weitz A major subject of discussion at the 2012 Moscow Nonproliferation Conference was the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Whether to ratify the treaty will also be an issue for the next U.S. presidential administration. The CTBT prohibits all nuclear explosions, whether for military or other purposes, in…
2012-09-24 by Ed Timperlake It was a warm early Fall evening at Dover AFC as a C-17, Globemaster III, landed carrying four American sons. Two Army and two Marines, united in death having given everything they had to support and defend our Constitution. All four were lost in Operation Enduring…
2012-09-24 By Richard Weitz Despite recent efforts to enhance international cooperation on defense industrial issues, American companies that attempt to enter the Japanese defense market directly continue to complain about such recurring problems as bureaucratic impediments, language barriers, and the limited availability of post-sale repair and maintenance services. As a…
2012-09-23 by Richard Weitz Japan’s “Three Principles on Arms Exports” have also constrained the development of its domestic defense industry. The Japanese government adopted these comprehensive restrictions on the export of military equipment in 1967 to affirm the country’s renunciation of militarism. At the time, they prohibited Japanese companies from…
2012-09-23 In a continuing dialogue with Lt. Col. Boniface, VMM 266 Commanding Officer, we talked about the future. Where was the Osprey going in terms of Marine Corps operations and what challenges needed to be met to get best value operationally from what this transformational aircraft brings to the fight.…
2012-09-23 by Lt. General (Retired) Deptula Change is constant in the Air Force, and that change needs to be embraced, because out of change comes adaptability to meet the challenges of the times. A strategic reality that affects the US military in the Pacific, is something that you all have…
2012-09-23 by Richard Weitz Given the statements of the Russian speakers at the 2012 Moscow Nonproliferation Conference, Moscow is laying down some tough if often understandable conditions for making further progress in nuclear arms control. Thanks to the Carnegie Corporation in New York, I had the opportunity to attend and…
