President Hollande, France and the Future of French Defense

05/13/2012
by Robbin  Laird President Sarkozy was defeated in a close election on Sunday in France.  This second round of the voting occurred after the right fractured in voting for Sarko and Le Pen in the first round, a first round in which Le Pen (this time the daughter) did very…

Where is the U.S. Military Headed?

05/02/2012
By Richard Weitz The third panel discussion at the April 2012 Army War College Annual Strategy Conference assessed the roles and missions of the U.S. Military Services in coming years. LTG Keith Walker, Deputy Commander of TRADOC and Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, discussed how the Army was…

Developing Army Strategic Leaders for an Age of Austerity

05/01/2012
By Richard Weitz The last panel at the April 2012 Army War College Annual Strategy Conference assessed how the Army could develop strategic leaders for the coming age of austerity. Dr. Don Snider of the U.S Army War College and Senior Fellow in the Center for the Army Profession and…

U.S. Grand Strategy Options

04/29/2012
By Richard Weitz The fifth discussion panel at the April 2012 Army War College Annual Strategy Conference assessed the U.S. grand strategy option in coming years. Nate Freier Mr. Nate Freier of the National War College and the U.S. Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute opened the discussion by presenting the…

Russia and Offensive Nuclear Arms Control: Major Obstacles

04/29/2012
By Richard Weitz Russia’s current Prime Minister and future President, Vladimir Putin, makes evident that the Russian government will not soon follow the Obama Administration towards nuclear disarmament. For example, on February 24, 2012, he told the media that Russia will not make any further unilateral or even bilateral cuts…

The Brazilian Minister of Defense: “We Are Going to Increase Our Resources for National Defense”

04/27/2012
Recently, Brazil became the 6th largest economy and economic growth provides means for enhancing defense capabilities and global presence in dealing with defense. Brazil will boost its military presence in the Amazon region to protect its huge natural resources from any external threat, Defense Minister Celso Amorim told the Senate…

Can Civilian Agencies Pick Up the Slack?

04/26/2012
By Richard Weitz The fourth discussion panel at the April 2012 Army War College Annual Strategy Conference assessed the roles and missions of the U.S. civilian agencies in coming years, especially those of the State Department. Dr. Peter Feaver Dr. Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at…

Russia and Nuclear Arms Control: A Way Ahead

04/25/2012
By Richard Weitz U.S. officials say it is too early to begin formal negotiations with Moscow on the next step in nuclear arms control. In the interim, they will concentrate on “doing their homework” on the complexities involved, both within the U.S. government, as a follow-on to the 2010 Nuclear…