2012-12-15 By Richard Weitz North Korea’s successful December 13 satellite launch surprised many observers by the rapidity of its progress, repeating the unpleasant surprise in 1998, when the DPRK first sought to launch a long-run missile. What is remarkable is how well this launch performed compared to the spectacular failure…
The recent interview with the NORTHCOM/NORAD Commander has highlighted the importance of evolving capabilities for Arctic Operations. He has signed recent agreements as well with the Canadians to this effect as well. http://defense.aol.com/2012/12/14/america-allies-and-the-arctic-northcom-commander-talks-polar-st/ https://sldinfo.com/u-s-canada-expand-arctic-cooperation-military-training/ But how capable is the US Navy today to contribute to this effort? Not very according…
2012-12-14 by Richard Weitz On November 15, 2012, U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta signed a joint vision statement with Thailand’s Defense Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, affirming and renewing the Thai-U.S. military partnership. The joint vision statement highlight four areas of future bilateral defense cooperation: regional security in Southeast Asia; supporting stability in the…
2012-12-14 by Kenneth Maxwell Brazil's military has been flexing its muscles recently. But major problems remain in shaping effective capabilities and an effective role within Brazilian foreign and security policies. Nonetheless, Brazil is redefining the role of its armed forces and making major decisions on the procurement of new equipment in the…
2012-12-13 by Robbin Laird President Obama has declared the Syrian preparation for possible use of chemical weapons a “red line” and the NATO alliance has responded also along these lines. A “red line” should mean something when it has been crossed and if you declare a “red line” to someone…
2012-12-13 by Richard Weitz The protracted negotiations concerning China’s possible purchase of an enormous volume of Russian natural gas has been a prominent agenda item at Russian-Chinese leadership summits for years. Expectations had been high for years that an agreement might soon be imminent, but the parties have proved unable…
2012-12-13 by Richard Weitz Nuclear energy is a part of overall Chinese security policy, but a fairly limited one. At present, China’s 11 operating nuclear reactors produce less than 2% of the country’s electricity, compared with over 25 percent in Japan and approximately 75 percent in France. Despite the nuclear…
2012-12-13 By Robbin Laird Leadership always looks easy in the rear view mirror. We often hear that it was easier in the Cold War because the landscape was so black and white. Now it is much harder, we are frequently told, because the enemy is diffuse, complex and asymmetric. When…
