Evaluating the Proposed Saudi Arabian Arms Deal

10/16/2010
By Dr. Richard Weitz 10/16 /2010 - The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency is expected to confirm soon an estimated $60 billion U.S. arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The unstated but widely understood purpose of the sale, which has been under discussion since 2007, is to enhance the Kingdom’s ability…

Crafting Relevant Capabilities

10/16/2010
Arms Sales a Necessary, But Not Sufficient Condition for Enhanced Deterrence By Dr. Robbin Laird 10/16 /2010 - Richard Weitz’s review and assessment of the proposed Saudi arms sale discusses some of the platforms on offer, which could go with what the Saudis already have in the inventory.  Platforms are…

Gulf to Remain Prime Theater for Iranian Deterrence

10/08/2010
By Dr. Heinrich Matthee, Academic Head, Black Hall College London Dr. Heinrich Matthee is a political and security risk analyst specializing on the Middle East and Muslim politics worldwide. Dr. Matthee has more than 14 years' experience of advising governments, multinational companies and NGOs. 10/08/2010 - This article was originally…

Elizabeth City USCG Base Infrastructure

08/25/2010
On our tour of the Elizabeth City USCG station there were several examples of the state of the infrastructure and of needs for modernization. All photos are credit to Second Line of Defense, June 30, 2010. A first example is how much stuff is kept outside because of the absence…

Iraq 2012: Anchoring Regional Security

08/24/2010
By Dr. Robbin Laird Much of the Iraq withdrawal conversation has revolved around either the date of U.S. departure or protecting Americans left behind. Missing from the debate is arguably the most important strategic questions: How will Iraqi security be guaranteed during Iraq's continuing transition? What U.S. security policy is…

Cyberpoints: Cyber-Exceptionalism In Warfighting

03/18/2010
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." —George Santayana [caption id="attachment_3466" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="John Wheeler"][/caption] By John Wheeler [email protected] Cyber-Exceptionalism in Warfighting “Cyber-Exceptionalism” refers to the set of ways in which American provisions for protection and defense of citizens and property, the police and military protections, differ so…

D.K. Matai on: China’s Cold Cyberwar

02/13/2010
Our colleague and regular contributor D. K. Matai starts a series on cyber security issues which complements John Wheeler’s contributions to SLDinfo on the same subject.  John Wheeler is shaping proposed Title X language for constructing a legal framework for the engagement of U.S. forces in dealing with the cyber…