By Robbin Laird Russia under Putin has been working hard his strategic agenda with regard to the West. At the heart of this strategy has been to reduce the direct threat to Russia posed by NATO and to stop NATO expansion in its tracks. He has been more successful with…
By Robbin Laird Sydney, Australia During my visit to Fleet Base East in Sydney, I had a chance to talk with Captain Leif Maxfield, Deputy Commodore Warfare in the Royal Australian Navy. At Garden Island, two of the latest additions for the RAN can be seen, namely the new amphibious…
On this episode of Cockpits and Coffee, watch a KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron doing in-flight refueling for an F-22 Raptor on June 27, 2018. AL DHAFRA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 06.27.2018 Video by Staff Sgt. Ross Whitley 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
By Kenneth Maxwell It is summer time in the UK. The politicians are away from Westminster but political intrigue remains at fever pitch. The fixation continues to be Brexit. The deadline for the UK exiting the European Community is fast approaching. But the Conservatives and the Labour Party are deeply…
By Robbin Laird Research Fellow, The Williams Foundation Canberra, Australia As the Chinese challenge grows, Australia is clearly concerned about expanded Chinese influence within Australia and with regard to Chinese efforts to reshape the external environment to expand the influence and power of the Chinese authoritarian state. Clearly the United…
By Robbin Laird Canberra, Australia During my visit to RAAF Edinburgh on August 10, 2018, I had a chance to talk with Group Captain Darren Goldie, Officer Commanding 92 Wing. 92 Wing is described by the RAAF as follows: Headquartered at RAAF Base Edinburgh, No 92 Wing (92WG) has long…
By Robbin Laird Canberra, Australia I have been coming to Australia for five years and working the seminar reports for the Williams Foundation in support of the Australian Defence Force Modernization. This modernization process has been very much focused not simply on recapitalization of the force but shaping a new…
U.S. Marines from Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment and civilians conduct weapons testing on the 81mm experimental non-lethal Indirect Fire Munition (IDFM) rounds at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 16, 2018. The IDFM is an integrated flash bang counter-personnel, non-lethal 81 mm mortar round designed to suppress personnel…
