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,…
2012-08-09 SLD interviewed Colonel Frédéric Gout, French Army, Commanding Officer of the French Army's 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment (5th RHC), based in Pau about the role of the 5th RHC in French operations. The interview was conducted at Pau in mid-2012. While the role of helicopters is essential in the evolution…
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…
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…
2012-08-06 by Ed Timperlake And so it begins, yet again: “President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing U.S. support for rebels seeking to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government, U.S. sources familiar with the matter said. Obama's order, approved earlier this year and known as an…
2012-08-05 By Richard Weitz Turkey views Iraq as a key area of interest and influence. Turkey has several core interests in Iraq: Cultivating ties with the various Iraqi factions, Preventing terrorists from using northern Iraq as a base of operations; Balancing the influence of Iran; Securing access to Iraqi oil…
The United Kingdom recently accepted the first international Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in a ceremony with senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense. Survitec Group is one of a number of select British suppliers and partners and was chosen to provide the…
August 1, 2012 From Az.Com Arizona leaders hailed the Department of Defense's decision selecting Luke Air Force Base to train pilots on the F-35. Numerous local leaders took part in the Luke Forward campaign to advocate for the mission. Governor Jan Brewer: "Today's announcement not only ensures Arizona will continue…
