StrategyPage – Reapers Go Searching For High Seas Pirates
The U.S. is going base some Reaper UAVs and P-3 maritime patrol aircraft on the Seychelles islands, to search for Somali pirates operating far from their bases.
Monthly Archives: August 2009
Afghanistan – A War Won Less by Force Than by Persuasion?
New York Times – A War Won Less by Force Than by Persuasion?
CJ Chivers comments upon the latest counterinsurgency guidance for the American and international units fighting the Afghan war that was released this week.
Russian Navy – Russia Surprises France with Mistral Announcement
Defense Technology International – Russia Surprises France with Mistral Announcement
Russia is considering buying at least one French-built Mistral-class helicopter landing dock.
Geopolitics – The New Rules: The Evolution of the U.S. Military
World Politics Review – The New Rules: The Evolution of the U.S. Military
Thomas P.M. Barnett on the new basing reality for the US military.
US Navy – Pirates fire on US helicopter
Associated Press – Pirates fire on US helicopter
Somali pirates holding a hijacked ship off the coast of Somalia fired at a U.S. Navy helicopter as it made a surveillance flight over the vessel, the first such attack by pirates on an American military aircraft.
Russian Navy – Russia says it tracked hijacked Arctic Sea all along, but questions grow over cargo
The Times – Russia says it tracked hijacked Arctic Sea all along, but questions grow over cargo
Russia’s top general hinted today that the ship allegedly hijacked by pirates earlier this month may have been carrying a secret cargo, as it emerged that the country’s Navy tracked the vessel throughout its journey.
Indian Navy – Navy grounds entire Sea Harrier jet fleet after recent crash
PTI – Navy grounds entire Sea Harrier jet fleet after recent crash
The Indian Navy has grounded the entire Sea Harrier fighter jet fleet against the backdrop of one of the aircraft crashing off Goa last week, rendering its lone aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, without its aerial firepower.
Miscellaneous – 'Cloak of silence' tech could hide submarines
Discovery News – ‘Cloak of silence’ tech could hide submarines
A new invisibility cloak for sound could help doctors find tiny tumors or hide submarines from enemy sonar.
(Thanks to Justin for the pointer…)
Afghanistan – Marines Fight Taliban With Little Aid From Afghans
New York Times – Marines Fight Taliban With Little Aid From Afghans
Lack of support from Afghan officials has hindered US Marine efforts to win over residents in a region where the Taliban remain a menacing presence.
US Navy – Four subs examined for troubles with bolts
Virginian Pilot – Four subs examined for troubles with bolts
The US Navy said Friday it is investigating mechanical problems involving bolts in the torpedo rooms of four Virginia-class submarines built at Northrop Grumman’s shipyard.
Piracy – Splashing, and clashing, in murky waters
The Economist – Splashing, and clashing, in murky waters
Private security firms are increasingly involved in the fight against pirates. The allocation of tasks between them and navies needs some thought.
Iraq – The Wrong Man for the Job
The Atlantic – The Wrong Man for the Job
Robert D. Kaplan on how Obama’s new ambassador to Iraq is a star diplomat—but has no experience in the Arab world. Why Christopher Hill is a bad choice.
Afghanistan – Pentagon Worries Led to Command Change
Washington Post – Pentagon Worries Led to Command Change
How General McKiernan’s ouster reflected new realities in Afghanistan – and Washington.
Russian Navy – Russia detains ship 'hijackers'
BBC – Russia detains ship ‘hijackers’
Eight people have been arrested for hijacking the cargo ship Arctic Sea, Russia’s defence minister says.
Russian Navy – Russia 'finds missing cargo ship'
BBC – Russia ‘finds missing cargo ship’
Russia says it has found a missing cargo vessel near the Cape Verde islands and retrieved its Russian crew.
Geopolitics / China – ‘Chimerica’ is Headed for Divorce
Newsweek – ‘Chimerica’ is Headed for Divorce
Niall Ferguson on the souring relationship between the US and China.
Russian Navy – 'Ransom demand' for missing ship
BBC – ‘Ransom demand’ for missing ship
Finnish police say a ransom demand has been made for a missing Russian-manned cargo vessel, the Arctic Sea.
Russian Navy – Missing ship 'found' off Africa
BBC – Missing ship ‘found’ off Africa
A missing ship with 15 Russian crew members on board has been spotted more than two weeks after it disappeared.
Afghanistan – In Afghanistan, A Test of Tactics
Washington Post – In Afghanistan, A Test of Tactics
The new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, as articulated in military headquarters and congressional hearing rooms, puts the emphasis not on killing Taliban fighters but on winning over the local people. But in this highly contested swath of Helmand province, US Marine Corps Sgt. Anibal Paz’s squad is likely to be ambushed before he has time to sit down for tea.
Russian Navy – Russian navy joins hunt for ship
BBC – Russian navy joins hunt for ship
Russia’s navy has been deployed to find a ship reportedly hijacked three weeks ago in the Baltic Sea.
US Navy – New Navy ship in shape
San Diego Union Tribune – New Navy ship in shape
The dry-cargo vessel’s USNS Wally Schirra’s sea trials go ‘splendidly.’
US Navy – After 18 Years, Remains of Pilot Shot Down in Iraq Found
Washington Post – After 18 Years, Remains of Pilot Shot Down in Iraq Found
A nearly two-decade-long odyssey to find Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher, whose fighter jet was shot down during the opening days of the Persian Gulf War, ended last Sunday when the U.S. military announced that an Iraqi living in the remote desert expanse of Anbar province had helped direct Marines to the downed pilot’s burial site.
Iraq – There's Still a War In Iraq. It Isn't Ours.
Washington Post – There’s Still a War In Iraq. It Isn’t Ours.
Greg Jaffe writes that the Iraq war is over — for us.
Editorial Note – NOSI is taking a short break and will next update on Monday August 10
NOSI is taking a short break and will next update on Monday August 10.
During this time, please consider visiting our related site and downloading the War Studies Primer for an introductory course on the study of war.
Look at slides 2 and 3 in the War Studies Primer for its Table of Contents, and then choose a lecture to read and enjoy.
Russian Navy – U.S. eyes Russian submarines off East Coast
CNN – U.S. eyes Russian submarines off East Coast
Two Russian Akula-class attack submarines have been cruising in the Atlantic off the East Coast of the United States, a senior defense official said Wednesday.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
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