2015-01-02 Lest one is delusional about the leadership of the PRC, one can look at its latest move to bolster Putin against pressures from the West, pressures which originated from the Russian seizure of Ukraine. China and Russia have a long and complicated relationship of allies, competitors, rivals and friends.…
2015-01-02 By Robbin Laird 1914 was a year, which marked the end of an era; although the inevitability of this change was evident after the events set in motion that year had their full effect. History has an inevitability about it, which is not experienced by those living through that…
2015-01-02 By Robbin Laird There is probably not a single American with a pulse who has not heard of Pearl Harbor. A day that brought the United States into World War II, and led to the Asian war with the United States as a major participant. When current strategists talk…
2014-12-09 By Paul Bracken, Yale University A turn in attitudes about nuclear weapons is taking place. There is a growing realization that we are entering a multipolar nuclear world. Despite pious U.S. appeals to other countries to give up nuclear arms, this isn't happening. And there's little sign that it…
2014-12-17 Ed Timperlake has focused the attention of politicians, analysts and the Second Line of Defense team upon the growing significance of information war. As we reach the end of 2014, Second Line of Defense would like to highlight this key challenge, one that we intend to focus attention on…
2014-12-15 by Robbin Laird There is a long history and strategic culture associated with nuclear deterrence. The question is whether the history and the culture are more of hindrance than a help into thinking about second nuclear age deterrence and warfighting? Paul Bracken has argued persuasively that nuclear weapons have…
2014-12-16 By Robbin Laird As the US shapes its next phase of 21st century military and security policy, it is crucial to assess the capability of the national security system to set goals and objectives appropriate the tools available. In a world of high demand, and scarce resources, this means…
2014-12-05 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake There is little question that the ISIL induced crisis is a major one. And it is one with cascading regional implications. With several years of dynamic change in the region, and the failure to create a stable Iraq during the period after the…
