Will Fracking, Climate Change, Solar Reshape US Security?

Will Fracking, Climate Change, Solar Reshape US Security?
Will Fracking, Climate Change, Solar Reshape US Security?

Energy sources and related commodities have driven national security issues ever since the modern nation-state was born with the Peace of Westphalia. Oak made Spain and England’s stout sailing ships. Water energy and wind drove mills and moved water. Wood and coal moved steamships. Then came the almost magical commodity of oil, packed with energy. World War II…

Pentagon Keeps Pressing For Energy Savings

Pentagon Keeps Pressing For Energy Savings
Pentagon Keeps Pressing For Energy Savings

[UPDATED with Burke remarks on biofuels & other alternative energy] WASHINGTON: Budget crunch be damned, the Defense Department’s effort to get more energy-efficient is still in business, said the assistant secretary in charge. Even without the free-flowing supplemental funds and the flexibility of the “rapid equipping” initiatives that allowed for speedy spending at the height…

Redefining Energy Security in the 21st Century

The following commentary appeared in our sister publication, Breaking Energy. While we don’t usually write about the Defense Department’s energy use (except when it’s a casus belli or a major budget item in aggregate) this piece addresses a fundamental issue of American foreign and domestic policy: climate change and foreign sources of energy. The Editor.…

Russians, Indians Join Largest RIMPAC In Years; Chinese Welcome Too, Says CNO

Russians, Indians Join Largest RIMPAC In Years; Chinese Welcome Too, Says CNO
Russians, Indians Join Largest RIMPAC In Years; Chinese Welcome Too, Says CNO

PENTAGON: With a new military strategy emphasizing Asia and alliance-building, the U.S. Pacific Fleet today kicked off its largest international exercise in years, known as “Rim of the Pacific” (RIMPAC). Some 42 ships are representing 22 countries, including India, which the US has been wooing as a counterweight to China, and Russia, once the presumed…

Rep. Forbes Slams ‘Green’ Navy; Political Argument Falls Flat On Hill

WASHINGTON: The Navy’s push to become a more environmentally-friendly fighting force took a beating on Capitol Hill last week. But the tongue lashing delivered by House defense lawmakers has little chance of gaining traction on the Hill or inside the Pentagon, analysts say. House Armed Services Seapower subcommittee member Randy Forbes took Navy Secretary Ray…