By Robbin Laird The latest Williams Seminar held in Canberra on April 11, 2019 focused on the strategic shift for Australia within the context of the evolving global situation. Facing the rising challenge posed by the 21stcentury authoritarian states, and by the changing nature of alliances in the Pacific and…
As the Western Alliance looks to deal with the evolving Russian challenge, the question of how fragmentation in the EU or NATO can be overcome in a crisis. With the Russians playing Europe a la carte, it will be about being able to enhance capabilities at the point of stress…
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia working with the Williams Foundation, I had a chance to meet with the former head of the Aussie Navy, Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett, and to discuss the Australian approach going forward with maritime power. I have had the privilege of…
As the strategic shift from the land wars gains momentum the investments and training in an appropriate 21stcentury crisis management and high intensity combat force will not be modelled on the Cold War European based force. It is not about a German-US Army brotherhood with significant presence. It is not…
By Robbin Laird China has expanded its maritime reach as it modernizes its navy and air force. And has done so through a “buy in strategy” but one that is challenged as well with its approach to “gray zone operations” in the region as well. In a recent article by…
While the EU puts together an initial response to the challenge of Chinese investments and infrastructure ownership in Europe, Italy and France this week signaled sovereign decisions to shape their own approaches within the evolving context. Two articles in the EUObserver published this week provide insights into the priorities of…
By James Bosbotinis The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) published an unclassified assessment of Chinese military developments on 15 January 2019. The report, China Military Power: Modernizing a Force to Fight and Win, disclosed that China is developing ‘new medium- and long-range stealth bombers to strike regional and global targets’, thus confirming long-standing…
With the continuing threat from North Korea and the Chinese pushing out their perimeter of operations, Japan has had little choice than to enhance the capabilities of their forces and push their operational reach out to the Japanese perimeter. According to a recent story in Japan Times published on March…
