Brexit in Limbo: Summer Time with Boris and Jeremy

08/24/2018
By Kenneth Maxwell It is summer time in the UK. The politicians are away from Westminster but political intrigue remains at fever pitch. The fixation continues to be Brexit. The deadline for the UK exiting the European Community is fast approaching. But the Conservatives and the Labour Party are deeply…

Australia Builds Out Its Alliance Relationships With Shipbuilding Deals

08/24/2018
By Robbin Laird Research Fellow, The Williams Foundation Canberra, Australia As the Chinese challenge grows, Australia is clearly concerned about expanded Chinese influence within Australia and with regard to Chinese efforts to reshape the external environment to expand the influence and power of the Chinese authoritarian state. Clearly the United…

The SCALP Missile for Egypt: The ITAR Barrier

08/11/2018
By defenceWeb France is looking for a way around the United States’ blocking of Scalp cruise missile technology for Egypt, and is exploring the possibility of replacing American components with alternatives so it can deliver the missiles as well as additional Rafale fighters to Egypt. French Defence Minister Florence Parly…

Changes at the Department of Commerce to Reshape Government Leadership: The Case of Commercial Space

07/29/2018
By Ed Timperlake As part of the streamlining of government and reduction of over regulation, the Trump Administration Department of Commerce is taking a lead role in the space policy reform championed by the President. According to an article by Jeff Foust published by Space News on May 27, 2018,…

US Secretary of Defense Visits Norway After NATO Summit

07/21/2018
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence website recently highlighted the visit of the US Secretary of Defense to Norway after the NATO Summit. US Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis visited Norway on Saturday July 14th. The United States is our closest and most important ally, and it is an honor…

The Latin American Challenge and Shaping a Realistic Way Ahead

07/10/2018
By Stephen Blank The revelation that President Trump has seriously considered the desirability of invading Venezuela ought to focus our attention on that unhappy country and others like it in Latin America. While Venezuela’s crisis is an extreme manifestation of the kleptocratic autocracies masquerading under the socialist or Chavista sobriquet…

The Russians and the Nordics: Intimidation Deflected by Mobilization

07/10/2018
By Robbin Laird Putin has clearly focused on expanding Russian influence in the areas of strategic interest to Russia. While the United States has diffused its efforts with an over emphasis on stability operations and counter-insurgency in the Middle East, the Russians have focused on their core interests and how…