The Australian Government’s Asian Balancing Act: How does it Deal with the Chinese Challenge?

10/23/2023
By Robbin Laird If one simply read this year’s Defence Strategic Review, the position of the current Australian government towards China would seem very clear: “A large-scale conventional and non-conventional military build-up without strategic reassurance is contributing to the most challenging circumstances in our region for decades. "Combined with rising…

Flight Line Maintenance at MAWTS-1: WTI-1-24

10/21/2023
Currently, MAWTS-1 is conducting its latest WTI course. These photos show flight line maintenance during the course. The current course includes the new King Stallion it is training regime. The King Stallion is the third major new air systesm introduced into the USMC since 2007, the first being the Osprey…

Poland After the Elections: What Happens Next?

10/21/2023
By Robert Czulda Last Sunday, millions of Poles voted for a new parliament for a four-year term. These elections had record-breaking turnout (74.38%) and attracted the attention of global media like no other recent election. Although Western liberal media immediately declared a great victory for the opposition in Poland, the…

The DSR Introduces Change: But How to Shape a Realistic Force Re-Design?

10/17/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia is support of the 27 September 2023 Williams Foundation seminar, I was able to meet with Dr. Stephan Frühling, Professor at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University. Professor Stephan Frühling teaches and researches at…

NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) High Visibility Project

10/13/2023
According to a 12 October 2023 NATO Press Release: Two initiatives were signed in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting this week (11-12 October 2023), demonstrating Allies’ commitment to work together to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in the air domain. On Wednesday (11 October 2023), Germany and…

The DSR as a Strategic Shift: Brigadier General (Retired) Langford Provides a Clear Perspective

10/13/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia in support of the Williams Foundation seminar held on 27 September 2023, I had a chance to talk with one of the speakers at the conference Brigadier General (Retired) Ian Langford about the DSR and its impact. During our discussion, Langford…

C2 Robotics and Crafting New Undersea Operational Capabilities for Defence and Security

10/11/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia in support of the 27 September 2023 Willliams Foundation seminar, I have taken the opportunity to continue my discussions on the coming of maritime autonomous systems to the Australian forces. First, I was able to talk with CDRE Darron Kavanagh, Director…

A Process Shift in Australian Defence and Its Implications: The Perspective of Dr. Andrew Carr

10/10/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current trip to Australia in support of the Williams Foundation 27 September 2023, I had a chance to talk with my colleague Dr. Andrew Carr of Australian National University. He is a regular interlocutor for me on strategic issues affecting Australia and the broader alliance.…