Three reasons Russia dismissed Sergei Shoigu, its longtime defense minister

Three reasons Russia dismissed Sergei Shoigu, its longtime defense minister
Three reasons Russia dismissed Sergei Shoigu, its longtime defense minister

Andrei Belousov will be the third in a series of Russian Defense Ministers with no military experience and no background in national security matters.

UK picks 90 suppliers to support Hypersonic strike program

UK picks 90 suppliers to support Hypersonic strike program
UK picks 90 suppliers to support Hypersonic strike program

The various suppliers were all picked to join a Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) agreement, making them eligible to compete for eight lots worth a maximum value of £1 billion ($1.3 billion) over the next seven years.

US, China will meet in Geneva this week to discuss ‘AI Risk’

US, China will meet in Geneva this week to discuss ‘AI Risk’
US, China will meet in Geneva this week to discuss ‘AI Risk’

Mid-level officials from the NSC and State Department will lead the talks, which follow on Xi-Biden summit last November. No public joint statement is expected, let alone a formal agreement.

In fiery speech, Aussie defense chief urges support for ‘extraordinary’ AUKUS subs

In fiery speech, Aussie defense chief urges support for ‘extraordinary’ AUKUS subs
In fiery speech, Aussie defense chief urges support for ‘extraordinary’ AUKUS subs

Gen. Angus Campbell also defended the conduct of the Australian military after a recent run-in with Chinese helicopters.

UK responds to cyber hacking of MoD payroll but refuses to name China as culprit

UK responds to cyber hacking of MoD payroll but refuses to name China as culprit
UK responds to cyber hacking of MoD payroll but refuses to name China as culprit

“We do have indications that this was the suspected work of a malign actor and we cannot rule out state involvement,” Grant Shapps, UK defense secretary told lawmakers.

SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare

SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare
SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare

“We haven’t seen … the arrival of that many different, I would call ecosystems or capabilities, going that fast together in quite some time,” SOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton said of new technologies changing the nature of warfare.

Countering China’s Red Dragon over the South China Sea

Countering China’s Red Dragon over the South China Sea
Countering China’s Red Dragon over the South China Sea

Thelmar Rosarda and Nathaniel Schochet of CNAS argue in this op-ed that the US should strengthen its partnerships with countries to combat China’s aggression in the South China Sea.

‘Technocrat’ Manele takes reins as Solomon Islands PM, China tilt remains

‘Technocrat’ Manele takes reins as Solomon Islands PM, China tilt remains
‘Technocrat’ Manele takes reins as Solomon Islands PM, China tilt remains

Still, Jeremiah Manele signaled he may take a more balanced approach to the East-West power struggle, recently saying it’s “important to treat every and all of our partners as equals.”

Air Force stands up two new EW squadrons, but still short on personnel

Air Force stands up two new EW squadrons, but still short on personnel
Air Force stands up two new EW squadrons, but still short on personnel

“We have recognized in our threat analysis that we need these capabilities in our wing in order to make our three wing missions executable,” Col. Joshua Koslov said of activating two EW squadrons. “And so that’s exactly what’s driving it.”

What a Chinese academic’s takedown of Russia says about Beijing’s view of Moscow

What a Chinese academic’s takedown of Russia says about Beijing’s view of Moscow
What a Chinese academic’s takedown of Russia says about Beijing’s view of Moscow

China watchers are asking whether Feng’s article is a step in the evolution of differences in Chinese and Russian positions — or is it an overt signal of internal Chinese Communist Party debate over Beijing’s policy of supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine?

Why Xi created a new Information Support Force, and why now

Why Xi created a new Information Support Force, and why now
Why Xi created a new Information Support Force, and why now

“What does seem clear at this point is that the PLA recognizes that its reforms and modernization efforts are an ongoing effort, which will require further adjustments,” author Dean Cheng writes.

Russia vetos US-Japan resolution against nukes in space, ‘unprecedented escalation’ in UN fight

Russia vetos US-Japan resolution against nukes in space, ‘unprecedented escalation’ in UN fight
Russia vetos US-Japan resolution against nukes in space, ‘unprecedented escalation’ in UN fight

“Although Russia would not be expected to vote for a resolution aimed at its own conduct, its response that it is ‘against’ putting nuclear weapons in space is just vague enough to not quite be reassuring,” said Jessica West of Canada’s Project Ploughshares.

From F-16s to NATO, Argentina’s moves tilt West, but ties to China to last

From F-16s to NATO, Argentina’s moves tilt West, but ties to China to last
From F-16s to NATO, Argentina’s moves tilt West, but ties to China to last

There are flashpoints to watch as Argentina navigates its future between the polar attractions of Washington and Beijing, including future defense deals and a deep space facility.

In a Taiwan conflict, tough choices could come for Big Tech

In a Taiwan conflict, tough choices could come for Big Tech
In a Taiwan conflict, tough choices could come for Big Tech

Washington could do more to incentivize tech companies to distance themselves from China, but CEOs should examine how they’d react to a fight in the Pacific, CSET’s Sam Bresnick and Emelia Probasco argue.