By Murielle Delaporte Sahel is among the worst nightmares for any counter-terrorist expert and planner. It feels like the old saying of getting rid of an enemy through the door before it comes back – regenerated or under a different form – via the window. In some ways the level…
By Robbin Laird In his book, Selling Schweinfurt, Col. Brian D. Vlaun discusses how combat leaders, supported by their structures that provide cross-cutting assessments of target effectiveness, sorted through the challenge of how to use the World War II European-based bomber force. The core effort was pretty straightforward — attrite…
By Robbin Laird A year ago, I visited Pax River and had a chance to discuss the progress of the CH-53K with Colonel Jack Perrin Program Manager, PMA-261 H53 Heavy Lift Helicopters, US Naval Air Systems Command at Pax River Naval Air Station. And this week, he provided an update…
By Tony McCormack The world has changed rapidly over the past 18 months and the way Australia’s defence organisation trains its people needs to change with it, or skills and readiness will surely decline. A combination of the Australian Defence Force’s involvement in responding to natural disasters over the summer…
From December 7th to 18th, 2020, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted the Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise “Forest Light” with the U.S. Marine Corps in Sekiyama Training Area, Somagahara Training Area and Camp Somagahara. “Forest Light” aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and improve bilateral response capabilities by conducting field training…
By Ed Timperlake Joint By Design, The Evolution of Australian Strategy is a very important new book by Robbin F.Laird. As the author sagely points out in his preface that “this book although focused on Australia, is not just about Australia.” There is a strategic shift underway as land wars…
By Pierre Tran Paris - France was launching design studies and starting to build first sections of a third-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarine, in a bid to maintain national sovereignty and military independence, the armed forces minister, Florence Parly, said Feb. 19. A new generation nuclear missile boat signals French…
At times, the advocates for maritime autonomy systems seem like a church. Believers, advocates and true believers expressing anger that the ghost fleet has not yet arrived. But for maritime autonomy systems to become key operating elements within the fleet, they will have to demonstrate their worth and that the…