Pacific
“We need launch capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Deanna Ryals, director of international affairs at the Space Force’s Space Systems Command, recently.
By Theresa HitchensAustralia’s ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, confirmed unequivocally that the “mature” submarines his country will buy will use highly enriched uranium: “The subs would be using HEU, and we’re just working out now the arrangements what that will mean in practice.”
By Colin ClarkAnalysts say the trilateral defense pact could set precedents and become a 20-year endeavor for the countries involved.
By Justin Katz“There is a reason, however, that David slung his stone into the forehead of Goliath rather than his musculature. Without a head connected to a body, a nuclear force is useless,” the new study by the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network states.
By Theresa HitchensIndia is the one country Sarang Shidore, an expert on South Asia and the Pacific, thinks will be truly worried about the Afghan collapse. “The US,” he says, “will have to manage the Indian perceptions once the (Afghan) evacuations are finished.”
By Colin Clark and Aaron Mehta“The growing diversity of the Chinese nuclear threat and its mixing in with conventional forces creates complexity for US commanders. It is also unclear what conditions would lead to PRC nuclear use, since their arsenal is growing and creating more options,” Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute says.
By Colin Clark“We often talk about ‘interoperability’, okay, the ability to operate with another nation, or even among the services,” says Rear Adm. Loren Selby, Office of Naval Research chief. “But there’s a distinct difference between interoperability and interchangeability,” which involves developing “specs and standards together” to meet mutual requirements.
By Theresa HitchensIn the last week, China has fired an array of missiles near the Paracel Islands, clearly intended to shape the attitudes and actions of the United States and our fellow Pacific friends and allies. The U.S Commerce Department has slapped sanctions on two dozen companies involved in China’s illegal destruction of…
By Bradley Bowman and Maj. Scott AdamsonThe COVID-19 pandemic is driving the tectonic plates of great power competition, weakening the already wobbly international system. For a brief moment it seemed that the worst global pandemic in a century might lead to increased comity between the United States, China and Russia after years of geopolitical eye-gouging. As the virus spread there were…
By James KitfieldWhile Washington warns of conflict with Iran, some former Trump administration officials complain the persistent problems in the Middle East are hurting the promised reset to meet Chinese, Russian challenges.
By Paul McLeary
The PLA Navy (PLAN) and PLA Air Force (PLAAF) are now the world’s largest, but China’s military modernization is not only focused on equipment. The PRC appears to be developing new strategies and doctrines. The PLA began shifting in the 1990s from preparing to fight “local wars under modern, high-tech conditions” to “local wars under…
By Dean Cheng