The Indian and Vietnamese Navies Conclude Bilateral Exercise

04/18/2019
By India Strategic New Delhi: In the backdrop of the growing maritime engagement between India and Vietnam, the Indian Navy undertook the second edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Vietnam Peoples’ Navy at/ off Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam from 13 to 16 Apr 19. The maiden…

Enhancing Australian Options in a Crisis: Shaping a More Sustainable Force

04/13/2019
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…

Poles Enhance Integrated Defense: Laying Foundation for Enhanced Allied Crisis Support

04/03/2019
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…

The Re-Set of the Royal Australian Navy: The Perspective of Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett

04/02/2019
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…

Full-Spectrum Crisis Management for the Liberal Democracies: Crafting a Kill Web Force

04/02/2019
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…

China’s “Buy In” Strategy for Maritime Operations in the Pacific: Putting It into a Strategic Maritime Context

03/30/2019
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…

Italy, France and the Chinese-European Relationship

03/28/2019
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…

China’s Regional Bomber and its Potential Impact

03/23/2019
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…