China and the Politics of Space Control

09/03/2018
By Richard Weitz In late August, 2018 the Chinese Foreign Ministry published its position paper regarding the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, which will run from September 18 and October 5 in New York. In this document, Beijing has again professed concern about the militarization of space—somewhat awkwardly…

Shaping Enhanced Sovereign Options: Leveraging the Integrated Force Building Process

08/28/2018
By Robbin Laird The Williams Foundation has held a series of seminars over the past few years, which have progressively looked at the transformation of the Royal Australian Air Force and to the shaping of cross-modernizing Australian Defence Force.  Referred to overall as building a fifth generation force, the focus…

The Defense of Australia: Looking Back and Leaning Forward

08/26/2018
By Robbin Laird Sydney, Australia During my August 2018 visit to Australia, I had a chance to meet with and discuss the question of the evolving approach to the defense of Australia with a member of the Australian National University, Andrew Carr. Dr. Carr is working towards the conclusion of…

Doing the European Dance: Putin and the Next Stage of European Development

08/24/2018
By Robbin Laird Russia under Putin has been working hard his strategic agenda with regard to the West. At the heart of this strategy has been to reduce the direct threat to Russia posed by NATO and to stop NATO expansion in its tracks. He has been more successful with…

Australian Force Integration and Allied Interoperability: Facing and Meeting the Challenge

08/23/2018
By Robbin Laird Canberra, Australia I have been coming to Australia for five years and working the seminar reports for the Williams Foundation in support of the Australian Defence Force Modernization. This modernization process has been very much focused not simply on recapitalization of the force but shaping a new…

Upcoming Russian-Chinese Military Exercise: September 2018

08/21/2018
According to the Chinese press: The Chinese military will take part in the Vostok-2018 (or East-2018) strategic drills in Russia from late August to mid-September, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on Monday. Military forces from the two countries will hold joint operation exercises at the Tsugol training range…

The Imperative for an Independent Deterrent: A Joint Strike Seminar August 2018

08/20/2018
Background For over twenty years the F-111 provided the Australian Defence Force with a strike capability with the  strategic reach to provide Australia with an independent strike option should deterrence fail. With the retirement of the long-range F-111, Australia’s future air strike capability now rests in the capabilities of the…