Royal Air Force Operations and Evolving Concepts of Operations: Shaping a Triple Transition

11/02/2015
2015-10-28 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Europe in October 2015, I had the chance to visit with senior RAF officers and to discuss RAF operations as well as the double transition with Typhoon modernization as well as the introduction of the F-35. For the RAF, it is really…

A Dominant 21st Century Fighting Force: The Role of the Large-Deck Carrier

11/02/2015
2015-11-02 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird Fifty years ago, 1965, in Bancroft Hall at the United States Naval Academy, Plebes (freshmen) were required when making a very loud announcement to a gathering of fellow Midshipman to began with the alert-“attention world, attention world.” It was a time when some…

A Look at NATO’s Trident Juncture 2015: Shaping Way Ahead for NATO’s Force Capabilities

10/28/2015
2015-10-20 by Murielle Delaporte As he embarked the Allied Command Transformation’s “fast train.” as he describes it, barely two weeks ago, General Denis Mercier just got back from attending his first North Alliance Council’s military committee (NAC) meeting as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT). And he is getting ready for…

The Russian Intervention In Syria: Amatzia Baram Discusses Strategic Shifts in the Middle East

10/26/2015
2015-10-26 by Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake The Russian intervention in Syria is a strategic turning point in the Middle East. The intervention alters the conflict and affects the alliances playing out in a fluid and dynamic situation. To get beyond the Inside the Beltway discussions, and get a sense…

Russia In Syria: Expanding A Regional Strategy

10/25/2015
2015-10-25 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake There is understandable concern about Russia stepping up its involvement in Syria. The Russians have taken ownership of Assad and his regime. Now it has evolved way beyond merely word posturing, there is an immediate need for the U.S. and Allies to engage with both strategic…

Norwegian Defense Review 2015

10/24/2015
2015-10-24 On 1 October, the Chief of Defence presented his Strategic Military Review regarding the future development of the Norwegian Armed Forces. ​ One year ago, the Minister of Defence tasked the Chief of Defence with developing a Strategic Military Review on how the Norwegian Armed Forces can best meet future…