It is clear that with the strategic shift from the primacy of counter insurgency missions to operations in a contested environment, significant changes can be expected from the ground maneuver forces. For the Marines, changes are induced as well by the air combat capabilities already in the Corps and being…
With the dynamics of change underway in the Pacific, Japan has been changing its defense and security policies to provide for more focus and capability to deal with threats and challenges in the region. The latest element of the change is the new Japanese ocean policy. According to an article…
We have been focusing on the strengthening of Nordic defense cooperation as well as the deepening role of both the United States and the UK in that effort as well. Visits to Finland, Denmark, the UK and Norway over the past few months have generated a number of interviews about…
By Stephen Blank Recent Pentagon deployments display a growing realism about the Russian military threat. And the announced recreation of the II Fleet to be based at Norfolk to patrol the North Atlantic and counter the upsurge of Russian submarine and surface vessels probes there demonstrates this heightened awareness of…
Recently, an autonomous minesweeper system that can safely clear sea lanes of mines has been delivered to the Royal Navy. According to a news story on the UK Ministry of Defence website published May 5, 2018, the arrival of the new capability was announced. Following a period of successful trials…
By Robbin Laird Last year, I visited Norway and had a chance to discuss with senior officials their thinking about the way ahead for Norway and North Atlantic defense. The Norwegians are investing significantly in new systems, but just as importantly are re-focused on their total defense concept to ensure…
The Italian Ministry of Defence has recently highlighted their commitment to enhanced cyber defense capabilities. In a story published on the Italian Ministry of Defence website on April 30, 2018, the recent NATO Locked Shield Exercise was the focus of attention. Exercise Locked Shields 2018, the largest and most complex…
The UK hosted a major European exercise on UK territory which tested ways to enhance collective defense. According to a story in the Daily Mail published on May 3, 2018: British troops have taken part in one of Europe's largest military exercises with nearly 12,000 personnel from across 17 nations…
