All articles by our directors, fellows, advisors, and distinguished guest authors.
The United States has pursued a two-track approach in Ukraine. While NATO refrains from active intervention, it has escalated rhetorically, most notably with President Biden’s supposed gaffe that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.” In turn, the White House has branded Putin a war criminal — and now génocidaire — with Biden also …
Can the US and its Allies Accept a Putin-led Russia? Continue Reading >>
Ukraine’s sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva received significant attention in Western media. But there has been little investigation of the Ukraine war’s naval elements. Naval considerations motivated Russian intervention, while Russia’s naval supremacy has reduced Ukrainian freedom of action and shaped its strategic and operational decision making. Most critically, Russian naval losses will …
As the Ukraine war approaches its eighth week, it has become conventional wisdom that Russia’s debacle will serve as a cautionary tale for China vis-à-vis Taiwan. At minimum, the Communist Party of China (CPC) will conduct a thorough internal review of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), ensuring it avoids the difficulties …
Going Vertical: Ukraine, Taiwan and the Nuclear Ploy Continue Reading >>
In late March Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall indicated the service would be buying more KC-46 refueling aircraft instead of allowing for a competition to invest in a potentially more capable ‘bridge’ tanker. “As we’ve looked at our requirements,” Kendall said, “the likelihood of a competition has come down.” The Air …
Air Force: Find a Bridge Tanker or Risk Defeat Continue Reading >>
When the first Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) contingent was dispatched to Iraq in 2004, a U.S. Marine officer gave its commander some parting advice: “You’d better be ready to shoot somebody.” This wasn’t said in jest. Despite the JSDF being a military in all but name, “shooting people” really wasn’t part of …
Japan’s Defense: Is Japan Ready to Shoot? Continue Reading >>
Western observers of Russia’s failure in Ukraine likely will soon begin arguing that Moscow’s inefficiencies diminish Washington’s need to rebuild the U.S. military. But Russian failure has stemmed from logistical issues, and the U.S. military’s capabilities, like Russia’s, aren’t prepared for major combat with a global power. The Russian military …
Russia’s Military Troubles in Ukraine Could Be America’s in the Pacific Continue Reading >>
In October 1985, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev visited France where he met with French President François Mitterrand. In candid conversations, Gorbachev told Mitterrand that the USSR was a Third World country with nuclear weapons, a conclusion that startled Mitterrand and other Western leaders when Gorbachev’s description was privately circulated. How …
The Biden administration’s 2023 defense budget request falls far short of America’s strategic needs. The administration remains committed to concepts like “Integrated Deterrence,” a notion that the invasion of Ukraine showed to be strategically vacuous. Of equal importance is the budget’s proposed dollar amount, $813 billion: Given inflationary projections of above 7 percent, Biden’s …
Biden’s Plan to Cut Navy Ships: Handing China Victory at Sea Continue Reading >>
Mariupol, the city under siege in southeastern Ukraine on the Sea of Azov, is the key to a possible deal between Russia and Ukraine that will stop the fighting. The Russian assault on Mariupol has been notably ruthless and brutal. Mariupol has been holding out, but just barely. The Russians …
Mariupol’s Fate is the Key to a Ukraine Deal Continue Reading >>
NATO’s Black Sea Members are the Key to the Coming Fight against Russia Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already transformed the psychological-political balance in Europe, reopening the prospect of wars of conquest. However, it is poised to transform the military-political balance on NATO’s eastern flank. In brief, whether Russia succeeds …
