The Gatwick Drone Incident: Networks and Disruptive Challenges

01/03/2019
If ever one wanted proof that disruption of advanced networks is a challenge and a problem, look no further than the recent disruptions of air traffic in the UK and beyond from a reported drone sighting near the airport and the follow on events. Just today, the UK MoD has…

Has Russia Launched the Hypersonic Age?

01/02/2019
By Richard Weitz “This is a great New Year’s present for the country,” President Putin told senior Russian military and political leaders when he oversaw Russia’s successful test of its new Yu-71 Avangard Hypersonic Glider from the country’s National Defense Control Center at the end of December. According to the…

Germany, Direct Defense and Reshaping Coalitions

12/30/2018
By Robbin Laird Recently, I wrote a review of the outstanding book by Sir Paul Lever which examines Germany’s role in Europe and the challenges facing Germany as it shapes its role ahead. His argument is straightforward – the European Union reflects the values and interests of Germany and weaves…

Combat Speed and Combined Arms Offensive Operations: General Monash and the Battle of Le Hamel

12/29/2018
By Robbin Laird Peter FitzSimmons has written a trilogy of books focused on Australia and the First World War. His latest book focuses specifically on an aspect of the First World War that is little known outside of experts or World War I buffs. But it is a story which…

The Indian Air Force Tests Rapid Airlift Capability

12/28/2018
By India Strategic New Delhi. In an effort to evaluate its own ‘Rapid Airlift Capability’ and to enhance crew currency in the role, Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on December 18 airlifted a record 463 tonnes of load from its airbase at Chandigarh to airfields…

The UK’s Minister of Defence and a Look Ahead with Regard to UK Defense

12/28/2018
Recently UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson provided a final update on the Modernising Defence Program to the House of Commons on December 18, 2018. What follows is his oral statement made to Commons: In July, I made a statement setting out headline conclusions from six months of work on the…

President Trump and the Middle East: What Next?

12/28/2018
By Richard Weitz Turkish President Erdoğan’s warning that he would soon send his military forces into the region of Syria where U.S. forces are operating was apparently the immediate factor prompting President Donald Trump’s decision to announce the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Syria. These Special Forces have been in…

The Indian Navy and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean

12/28/2018
By Vice Adm S Sinha (Retd) Thus far the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has been law abiding and stable maritime region permitting smooth flow of world trade. Sea Lanes of communication criss-cross the Indian Ocean after negotiating restricted passages, i.e., Straits of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden and Straits of Malacca.…