The US Navy Working Maritime Security with African Partners

06/22/2019
By defenceWeb The United States Navy is working with partners in Africa to help them enhance maritime security, with exercises, training and aid being delivered, according to US Navy Admiral James Foggo III. “The maritime domain has strategic security implications; not only do piracy and other illicit maritime activities threaten…

Australian Sovereignty and Maritime Security: RADM Goddard Discusses the Role of the Maritime Border Command

05/29/2019
By Robbin Laird During my recent stay in Australia in April 2019, I had the chance to meet with RADM Lee Goddard, Commander of the Maritime Border Command.  His command oversees the operational side of ensuring maritime security for Australia. Because Australia has no land borders, dealing with challenges like…

Norwegian Cyber Strategy, 2019

04/20/2019
Norway has accelerated plans to scale up its national security infrastructure against threats emanating from the cyber domain. In late January 2019, the Norwegian government released two documents highlighting its approach. "This strategy is intended to address the challenges that will inevitably arise in conjunction with the rapid and far-reaching…

Space Norway Adds Arctic Coverage

04/20/2019
The Norwegians are pursuing enhanced satellite coverage for Arctic defense and security. In a press release issued last year on March 23, 2018, the requirement was identified. Today, broadband coverage in the High North is poor and unstable. The Government now wants Norwegian satellites to make broadband communications available in…

The Chinese Military and Exploitation of Western Technology Firms

04/17/2019
By Alex Joske For more than a year, debate has raged over allegations that the Chinese military is taking advantage of Google’s research and expansion into China. General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a senate committee in March that Google’s work in China indirectly benefits the…

A “Plan Jericho” for Australian Energy Security: Leveraging the Hydrogen Energy Opportunity

04/12/2019
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia, I had an opportunity to continue my discussions with Air Vice Marshal (Retired) John Blackburn with regard to the challenges facing Australian energy security. Increasingly, there is a perception that Australia needs to create an energy reserve or buffer with regard…

Royal Navy Success in Enforcing North Korean Sanctions

04/07/2019
According to a story published on the UK MoD website on April 5, 2019, a Royal Navy vessel conducting United Nations sanctions enforcement against North Korea has successfully tracked an illegal transfer at sea. Working alongside Japanese partners, HMS MONTROSE spotted a North Korean ship in the East China Sea, alongside…

Infrastructure Protection in Northern Europe: The Return of Direct Defense

01/25/2019
By Robbin Laird The Russian takeover of Crimea signaled an end to the optimistic post-Cold War era. As Putin continued to ramp up challenges, the West gradually began to focus on the return of direct defence. Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber attack is, in many ways, surpassing other forms of…