What Can the European Union Really Do in Defense?

10/27/2021
By Robbin Laird and Pierre Tran The European Union’s pursuit of military and security capabilities can be seen in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project, a cooperative framework for the 25 EU member states which have signed up to work together. One of the largest PESCO projects is the European Patrol…

Indian-UK Konkan Shakti 2021 Exercise: October 2021

10/27/2021
By Indian Strategic New Delhi. The sea phase of maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’ between the Armed Forces of India and United Kingdom is being held off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea. On completion of harbour planning phase, the sea phase of the exercise commenced on October 24 and…

Australia and Indonesia Work Maritime Security

10/26/2021
According to an Australian Department of Defence article published on October 24, 2021, Australia and Indonesia are conducted combined maritime patrols. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) have completed a coordinated maritime patrol to enhance security along our shared maritime border as part of AUSINDO CORPAT…

The Australian Submarine Decision: Challenges and Next Steps

10/26/2021
By Robbin Laird The decision by the Morrison Administration to shift from a conventional submarine to a nuclear submarine is part of the strategic reset underway in Australia since 2018. With the Chinese threat ramping up, the Australians have been looking to refocus their defence efforts on the Indo-Pacific region…

Task Force 59: Creating Maritime Capabilities for the 5th Fleet Area of Operations

10/24/2021
In early September 2021, the U.S. Navy set up a new task force to deliver usable unmanned systems for enhanced maritime capabilities in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. In a story written by MC1 Roland Franklin and published on September 9, 2021 by the U.S. Navy: U.S. Naval Forces…

President Macron and Defense: The Perspective of General (Retired) Didier Castres

10/20/2021
By Robbin Laird and Pierre Tran On September 22, 2021, we had a chance to meet Army General (retired) Didier Castres and discuss the evolution of military operations and strategy under president Macron. Castres is a highly experienced staff officer who has been engaged in activities associated with crisis management…

Shaping a Way Ahead for the Australian Submarine Capability: The Perspective of Vice Admiral (Retired) Barrett

10/19/2021
By Robbin Laird During my visit to Europe earlier this Fall, the surprise announcement of the Morrison Administration’s decision to shift from their French alliance to deliver a long-range diesel submarine to acquiring nuclear submarine capability through an alliance with the United States and Britain was made. I talked with…

Shaping Resilience: A Key Element for the Defense of Liberal Democracies

10/18/2021
By Robbin Laird Recently, I had a chance to discuss with Air Vice-Marshal (Retired) John Blackburn the work he been engaged in since last I was in Australia in March 2020. The team has recently released a final report on the challenges facing Australia to become a more resilient society…