2013-08-21 A former force commander of the joint African Union/United Nations mission in Darfur has warned that a rethink is needed on peacekeeping in Africa if it is to remain a workable objective. Nigerian General Martin Luther Agwai told a Washington workshop on enhancing peacekeeping operations in Africa the complex…
2013-08-21 by Kenneth Maxwell The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, was in Brasilia last week. He did not want to meet the press. But Itamaraty (the Brazilian Foreign Ministry) insisted that he hold a press conference with Antonio Patriota, the Brazilian chancellor (Foreign Minister). Patriota had been Brazil's ambassador in Washington. Secretary Kerry…
2013-08-09 A key asset being added to the 21st century amphibious fleet is a new version of the CH-53. We earlier did an interview with a Marine involved in the program, who highlighted the potential contributions of the new helicopter to USMC-USN operations. https://sldinfo.com/adding-a-core-usmc-capability-the-ch-53k-as-a-logistical-force-multiplier/ During this year’s visit to New…
2013-08-07 During a visit to New River Air Station in July 2013, we had a chance to talk with Lt. Col. Schoofield, the newly appointed ACE commander of the 22nd MEU. His MEU is replacing the MEU currently deployed to the Mediterranean and where Lt. Col. “Spinner” Boniface is the…
2013-08-06 By Jimmy Bhatia and Shweta Sehgal Was it Nature’s fury against the plundering of the mountains by the growing population and their careless treatment of the environment? Whatever caused the ‘Himalayan Tsunami’, it was one of the biggest disasters in India caused by floods, landslide, rains and cloud bursts,…
2013-08-05 Secretary Wynne recently underscored that with the Osprey, “the Marines are busily embracing the 21st century operational concept.” During this year’s visit to New River, discussions with Col. Seymour, the CO of MAG 26 and with Major Frank “Robo” Rhobotham, VMM-364 Remain Behind Element (RBE) Officer in Charge (OIC),…
2013-08-04 by Robbin Laird In a follow up interview with Gordon Stephenson, the brother of the co-pilot of the B-17 remembered in the French ceremony at the end of June, I had a chance to talk about his brother, growing up to become a pilot and what it felt like…
By Richard Weitz The recent NATO-Russian spat over military exercises shows the imperative of upgrading European security mechanisms. At a July 24 NATO-Russia Council meeting, Rose Gottemoeller, the U.S. Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, complained about Moscow’s failure to provide advance notice of its recent large-scale military…
