Pacific

US-Australia space launch accord likely on agenda at Biden-Albanese meeting

US-Australia space launch accord likely on agenda at Biden-Albanese meeting
US-Australia space launch accord likely on agenda at Biden-Albanese meeting

“We need launch capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Deanna Ryals, director of international affairs at the Space Force’s Space Systems Command, recently.

Aussie PM targets quantum tech, announces ‘critical technologies’ push

Aussie PM targets quantum tech, announces ‘critical technologies’ push
Aussie PM targets quantum tech, announces ‘critical technologies’ push

Australia’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.”

New Australia Nuclear Sub Deal Brings Big Questions, Hard Road Ahead

New Australia Nuclear Sub Deal Brings Big Questions, Hard Road Ahead
New Australia Nuclear Sub Deal Brings Big Questions, Hard Road Ahead

Analysts say the trilateral defense pact could set precedents and become a 20-year endeavor for the countries involved.

NC3 Vulnerabilities Risk Nuclear War In Asia, APLN Study Finds

NC3 Vulnerabilities Risk Nuclear War In Asia, APLN Study Finds
NC3 Vulnerabilities Risk Nuclear War In Asia, APLN Study Finds

“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.

Afghan Aftermath: Will Pacific States See Weakened US?

Afghan Aftermath: Will Pacific States See Weakened US?
Afghan Aftermath: Will Pacific States See Weakened US?

India 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.”

Chinese Execute ‘Huge’ Theater Level Exercise; Russia & PRC Start Joint Exercise

Chinese Execute ‘Huge’ Theater Level Exercise; Russia & PRC Start Joint Exercise
Chinese Execute ‘Huge’ Theater Level Exercise; Russia & PRC Start Joint Exercise

“Everywhere we went, we were confronted with Chinese. They would come up to us in the hotels, out in the streets and just kind of get really in our face,” Marine Maj. Gen. David Furness said of his recent service in East Africa. “And they’d basically tell us, we’re coming after you. They weren’t shy about it at all.”

‘Sense Of Crisis’ On China-Taiwan: Japan Defense White Paper

‘Sense Of Crisis’ On China-Taiwan: Japan Defense White Paper
‘Sense Of Crisis’ On China-Taiwan: Japan Defense White Paper

Chinese actions in the Pacific are posing a “grave concern” for Japan’s military, a new official paper concludes.

Chinese Nuke Modernization Prompts Shift In DoD Strategy

Chinese Nuke Modernization Prompts Shift In DoD Strategy
Chinese Nuke Modernization Prompts Shift In DoD Strategy

“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.

How China’s Thinking About The Next War

How China’s Thinking About The Next War
How China’s Thinking About The Next War

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…

Service Leaders Push For Earlier S&T Cooperation In Indo-Pacific

Service Leaders Push For Earlier S&T Cooperation In Indo-Pacific
Service Leaders Push For Earlier S&T Cooperation In Indo-Pacific

“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.

Lessons for the Pacific From The European Deterrence Initiative

Lessons for the Pacific From The European Deterrence Initiative
Lessons for the Pacific From The European Deterrence Initiative

        In 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…

Will COVID-19 Kill The Liberal World Order?

Will COVID-19 Kill The Liberal World Order?
Will COVID-19 Kill The Liberal World Order?

The 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…

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’
SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

While 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.