Pacific Strategy XI: The Role of the Surface Fleet

10/27/2011
10/27/2011 We have discussed three surface combatants earlier: the LCS, Aegis and the CVN and have integrated these platforms into a discussion of the interaction between presence and scalability.  Here the focus is upon other surface combatants and their roles in the way ahead. If one is focusing upon littoral…

Pacific Strategy XIV: Battle of the Bulge-in a Pacific Campaign

10/27/2011
10/27/2011 - by Ed Timperlake Ever since the evacuation of the Chinese Nationalist Forces to Taiwan after their defeat on the mainland by Mao’s Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has quested for a complete victory by establishing sovereignty over that island fortress. (Credit Image: Bigstock)…

Turkish Divisions over Central Asia

10/26/2011
10/26/2011 By Richard Weitz One of the few points of division we encountered among Turkish government officials and analysts was their competing views regarding future political developments in Central Asia. One group believes that Central Asia was ripe for deep political change through its own version of the Arab Spring.…

Turkey and Tehran: Cooperation and Conflict

10/25/2011
10/25/2011 - By Dr. Richard Weitz During our time in Turkey, a key issue of interest was getting an update on their relationship with Iran. Although we were in Turkey for only one week, it was evident that Turkey’s relationship with Iran is complex. The two countries cooperate in some…

Turkey-Iraqi Kurdistan Reconciliation Pays Dividends

10/25/2011
10/25/2011  By Richard Weitz During a week-long study trip to Turkey earlier this month, I was in Ankara at the same time as a senior Iraqi government delegation. We had simultaneous meetings at the Foreign Ministry. The Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister had to send a replacement to our session since…

Pacific Strategy X: ISR Services to the Honeycomb

10/24/2011
10/24/2011 - As the presence forces operate in the Pacific from the Arctic to Australia, a key enabler will be the ISR inputs or services which support and enhance deployed decision-making centers, whether in the combat aircraft of the 5th generation or by the ships and longer-range strike assets. The…