Archive for Category: "Analysis & Opinion"


The Long March: Building an Afghan National Army

The Long March: Building an Afghan National Army

Background and Purpose The Afghan National Army (ANA) is seen as a sine qua non for security in Afghanistan. The recent resurgence of the Taliban, operating out of bases in Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan, underscores the threat to the Afghan government and the importance of the army in stemming this insurgency and providing for

North Korea poses no real threat to the world

North Korea poses no real threat to the world

As the North Korean nuclear issue took a new, dangerous turn on Monday, RIA Novosti sought out the opinion of Douglas H. Paal, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Paal also served on the National Security Council staffs of presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush between 1986 and 1993 as

Limited Armed Stabilization and the Future of US Landpower

Limited Armed Stabilization and the Future of US Landpower

The author takes a critical look at the mission assignment and orientation of U.S. landpower. He calls for an unconventional revolution in U.S. land forces that optimizes them for intervention in complex and violent crises of governance and security in states crippled by internal disorder. In the end, he argues that the armed stabilization of

BAE Systems Committed to Nowra for Seahawk Support Contract

BAE Systems, NOWRA, Australia: BAE Systems plans to establish a world class aviation maintenance facility in Nowra, NSW, if it secures the contract to support the Royal Australian Navy’s S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter fleet. Jim McDowell, Managing Director, BAE Systems Australia, said today the company remained committed to Nowra as the long term home of its

Russia-NATO: Return of the great game

RIA Novosti, MOSCOW: After the breakup of the Soviet Union, many intellectuals in Russia and the West announced “the end of history.” It seemed that the United States' complete domination of the world was not disputed by anyone. The subsequent decade, during which Russia lost its foreign policy positions, and its former satellites and even

Possible outcomes of a Georgian-Abkhazian war

RIA Novosti, MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti military commentator Ilya Kramnik): Analysts are actively debating the possible outcomes of an armed conflict between Georgia and self-proclaimed Abkhazia that seceded from Georgia in 1992. Without looking into the most pessimistic scenarios envisioning a nuclear conflict between Russia and NATO, let's try and predict the possible outcomes of the

Moves to beef up forces reflect growing concern over Afghanistan: analysts

Agence France-Presse, WASHINGTON: A move to beef up US forces in Afghanistan with some 3,000 marines reflects growing concerns about rising insurgent violence and turmoil in neighboring Pakistan, analysts said Thursday.   But the proposed deployment is seen as a stop-gap measure at a time when some experts say a revamped, unified strategy is needed

China's ability to sustain war

United Press International, HONG KONG: Should a conflict break out across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese forces would face a grave shortage of ammunition after just seven days of fighting. Even though China has a much greater stockpile of ammunition than Taiwan, it would also encounter similar problems in a sustained conflict. The PLA Air Force

Why we are in Iraq

US Air Force, SOUTHWEST ASIA: We all had many different reasons for joining the military, but since Sept. 11, I know we all joined or re-enlisted knowing that we are at war with the terrorists. But, why are we still fighting in Iraq and putting our lives in jeopardy? To shed some light on this