Section: The National Interest (USA)
China’s Only Serving Aircraft Carrier Is Close to “Full Combat Readiness”
Asia Times Security, We have the latest. China’s only serving aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has moved closer to full combat readiness after its naval pilots apparently completed their first nighttime take-offs and landings, joining a small group of fliers whose countries have this capability. State broadcaster China Central Television has...
Where is Georgia Headed?
William Courtney, Daniel Fried, Kenneth Yalowitz Security, Europe Georgia represents a key test on the possibilities of reform in the former Soviet space. Secretary of State Pompeo May 21 stated that “Russia’s forcible invasion of Georgia is a clear violation of international peace and security,” and he called on Moscow to “withdraw its...
How Hitler Tried to Stack His Panzer Tanks to Stop Defeat (It Completely Failed)
Warfare History Network History, Europe A really bad idea. Even in the dark days of March 1945, when the Third Reich was on the brink of collapse, its troops managed to exhibit that grim humor that enables frontline soldiers to endure the horrors of battle. As the panzer crews of mighty Tiger II tanks rumbled forward in the last German offensive...
Could America Pull Troops Out of South Korea If It Wanted?
Ramon Marks Security, Asia The implications could be catastrophic. Today the world waits to see whether toughened sanctions, hard nose diplomacy, and even exchanges of nuclear ‘red button’ threats have worked to persuade Kim Jong-Un to give up his nuclear arsenal. At the very least, these Administration initiatives appear to have played a...
A Large Military Exercise Just Started in the Baltics. Here Is Why It Matters.
Nicholas J. Myers Security, Europe Russia is watching. On May 2, 2018, Estonia began the largest exercise in its history since regaining independence in 1991. The exercise is called Siil 2018 (“hedgehog” in Estonian), will last until May 14, and features 15,000 servicemen including 2,000 foreigners from ten NATO countries (Belgium, Canada,...
Why Russia Fears the Javelin (America’s Super Tank-Killer)
Sebastien Roblin Security, The Javelin is so effective that who the United States sells or gives Javelins to has become a political issue on more than one occasion. When Russia provided military support to separatists in Ukraine, columns of Russian tanks were instrumental in turning back Ukrainian Army offensives and seizing government...
Russia’s Deadly Su-27: The Plane That Terrifies NATO (and Buzzes Its Fighter Jets)
Robert Farley Security, Europe From Russia with love. The original version of the Flanker has enjoyed tremendous export success, and still flies in eleven air forces around the world. The bulk of aircraft fly in Russian (359) and Chinese (fifty-nine) service. In some smoldering conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Ethiopia-Eritrea, Vietnam-China) both...
Russia’s Deadly Su-27: The Plane That Terrifies NATO (and Buzzes Its Fighter Jets)
Robert Farley Security, Europe From Russia with love. The original version of the Flanker has enjoyed tremendous export success, and still flies in eleven air forces around the world. The bulk of aircraft fly in Russian (359) and Chinese (fifty-nine) service. In some smoldering conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Ethiopia-Eritrea, Vietnam-China) both...
China’s First Homemade Carrier Is Preparing for War
Asia Times Security, Asia The unnamed carrier was seen moving out of Dalian shipyard for sea trials. The Beijing-based Global Times has said the first locally made carrier, not yet christened, is likely to be ready for combat “within two years” after its expected delivery to the navy by the end of this year. Photos and video clips appearing...
The Terrorism Label
Paul R. Pillar Russia Terrorism, United States A recent op-ed from Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) calls for officially designating Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Gardner offers a long indictment—a “moral case”, as he calls it—against Russia that mostly involves activities other than terrorism, such as invasions of Georgia and Ukraine and...
