A Paradigm Shift in Maritime Operations: Autonomous Systems and Their Impact

05/14/2025
The paradigm shift in maritime operations involves moving away from concentrating power in capital ships to distributing capabilities across a network of assets. Distributed Maritime Effects (DME) are the effects created by this distributed force, often independent of or supplemental to traditional capital ship operations which are increasingly focused on…

Lula in Moscow and Beijing: Coming to Terms with the Multi-Polar Authoritarian World?

05/13/2025
By Kenneth Maxwell The three major Brazilian newspapers in their editorials had nothing good to say about Lula’s presence in Moscow for the 80th anniversary parade on Red Square celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WW2. The Brazilian President and his wife, Rosângela (Janja) Lula da Silva, joined…

The Return of the Nuclear Deterrence Challenge in Europe

04/14/2025
By Robbin Laird The war in Ukraine has brought the nuclear question back again as a central topic in European security. And now the Trump Administration with its focus on European defense by Europeans, coupled with the unfinished business of the Ukraine war, have intensified considerations of what is the…

Defense of Europe: “Tomorrow’s Solutions are No Longer Yesterday’s Habits.”

03/06/2025
By Murielle Delaporte President Macron's address to the French on March 5, 2025[1] echoes the speeches of his predecessors, who tirelessly fought for an autonomous and sovereign defense, or at least the most sovereign defense possible in view of global economic constraints and realities. General de Gaulle's vision of a…

Dealing with the World We Are In: Guidance for a Way Ahead

02/19/2025
By Robbin Laird We are publishing four books this year which provide detailed assessments of the question of how did we get where we find ourselves today. In addition, we are publishing assessments as well of aspects of shaping a way ahead, which provide a partial answer to how we…

An Interview With General Lionel Catar, Commander of the 27th BIM

02/14/2025
By Murielle Delaporte Conceived of as “a forum for an exchange between industries and specialized military units operating in a variety of environments ”, General Catar is delighted to “welcome this community to Grenoble, capital of the Alps and of the French Army Mountain Infantry Brigade, the 27th BIM”, and…

An Estonian Perspective on Building European Defence Capability

01/26/2025
By Pierre Tran Paris - The Estonian ambassador, Lembit Uibo, pointed up Jan 21 the need for compromise when ordering weapons from European Union nations, the U.S. and other allies, with the key factors being price, quality and delivery time. There was need for “compromise,” the senior diplomat told the…

Understanding the U.S. Navy’s New Navigation Plan

11/29/2024
By George Galdorisi The U.S. Navy has been forthcoming and transparent in its strategies designed to ensure peace and stability on the global commons working with allies and partners. These strategies have contributed to the security and prosperity of all nations touched by the oceans. Whether manifested in documents such…