Air Force – PACAF’s “Vision” Thing
A new wargame tells airmen what it will take to hold the line in the Far East.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Transformation – A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age
Foreign Affairs – A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates writes that the Pentagon has to do more than modernize its conventional forces; it must also focus on today’s unconventional conflicts — and tomorrow’s.
US Marines – Keeping Marines Off The Beach
DefenseTech – Keeping Marines Off The Beach
Norman Polmar writes that one of the leading candidates for cancellation by the new administration is the long-gestating Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), the advanced “amtrac” that has been under development for almost two decades.
US Navy – Navy backs plan to move an aircraft carrier to Mayport, Fla.
Virginian Pilot – Navy backs plan to move an aircraft carrier to Mayport, Fla.
The Navy on Wednesday formally endorsed plans to make Florida’s Mayport Naval Station the home of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, potentially ending Norfolk’s status as the lone nuclear-capable carrier port on the East Coast.
Iraq – When gadgetry becomes strategy
World Affairs – When gadgetry becomes strategy
The US military’s reliance of technical superiority highlights a wayward path that leads back to Vietnam writes H R McMaster.
Royal Marines – UK forces take key Taleban bases
BBC – UK forces take key Taleban bases
BBC – Voices from the Afghan front line
StrategyPage – The Royal Marines Show How It’s Done
British troops in Afghanistan captured four key Taleban strongholds after an 18-day offensive in Helmand Province.
Editorial Note – 2008 Archive Now Available
NOSI’s archive from January – December 2008 is now available: January – December 2008
US Navy – Problems Persist for SEAL Mini-Subs
DefenseTech – Problems Persist for SEAL Mini-Subs
Norman Polmar writes that the nations’ problem-plagued effort to develop an effective means of landing special forces from submarines has suffered still another setback.
Nuclear Warfare – The Worst Pakistan Nightmare for Obama
New York Times Magazine – The Worst Pakistan Nightmare for Obama
The new administration’s biggest fear is not jihadists taking control of the border regions. It’s what happens if the country’s nuclear arsenal falls into the wrong hands.
Geopolitics / Middle East – Beyond Iraq: A New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East
Foreign Affairs – Beyond Iraq: A New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East
To be successful in the Middle East, the Obama administration will need to move beyond Iraq, find ways to deal constructively with Iran, and forge a final-status Israeli-Palestinian agreement.
Chinese Navy – China Seriously Considering Carriers
DefenseTech – China Seriously Considering Carriers
Norman Polmar summarizes the latest Chinese statements on acquiring aircraft carriers.
US Navy – US to lead new anti-pirate force
BBC – US to lead new anti-pirate force
A new international force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia is being formed and will be headed by an American admiral.
Geopolitics / Gaza – Iran's Postmodern Beast in Gaza
The Atlantic – Iran’s Postmodern Beast in Gaza
Robert D. Kaplan writes that Israel has, in effect, launched the war on the Iranian empire that President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, in particular, can only have contemplated.
Indian Navy – Boeing wins first military contract with India
Seattle Post Intelligencer – Boeing wins first military contract with India
India becomes the first country outside the U.S. to purchase the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Nuclear Warfare – Atomic John
New Yorker – Atomic John
A great way to begin the new year – an amazing piece of open source intelligence work – A truck driver uncovers secrets about the first nuclear bombs.
Editorial Note – NOSI On Break Until Tuesday January 6th
NOSI is taking a short break and will next update on Tuesday January 6.
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.
Geopolitics / Arctic – Sea Change
The Atlantic – Sea Change
Outstanding map showing how the Arctic is changing from an impenetrable wasteland into an oceanic crossroads.
Fourth Generation Warfare – Terror at the border: A new terrorist threat is closer than you think
Armed Forces Journal – Terror at the border: A new terrorist threat is closer than you think
Col. Robert Killibrew writes that with American attention diverted to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economic crisis and a hard-fought national election, national security experts have largely overlooked the bitter countercartel war in Mexico. But that war, which is beginning to overlap the U.S. border, is only the forerunner of an even more serious threat. Sometime in the near future a lethal combination of transnational terrorism and criminal gangs is going to cross the U.S. border in force. According to some, it already has, and we haven’t even noticed.
Geopolitics / Arm Dealers – Flying anything to anybody
Economist – Flying anything to anybody
The rise and fall of Viktor Bout, arms-dealer extraordinaire, shows a darker side of globalisation.
Royal Navy – Baby Boomers
Defense Technology International – Baby Boomers
A very interesting contract announced yesterday: The UK is paying General Dynamics Electric Boat unit to design a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for its next ballistic missile submarine (SSN), slated to replace the Vanguard-class SSBNs from 2022 onwards. The contract also states that the CMC is intended for the US Navy’s Ohio-class replacement as well. While the US and UK SSBN programs have long been joined at the hip through the use of the same missiles, this is another step forward in collaboration.
Chinese Navy – Beijing Considers Upgrades to Navy
Wall Street Journal – Beijing Considers Upgrades to Navy
China’s top military spokesman said it is seriously considering adding a first aircraft carrier to its navy fleet, a fresh indication of the country’s growing military profile as it prepares for its first major naval deployment abroad.
Russian Navy – Russian Missile Fails in Test Launch for Fifth Time
Associated Press – Russian Missile Fails in Test Launch for Fifth Time
Russia’s new sea-based ballistic missile has failed in a test launch for the fifth time, signaling serious trouble with the highly advertised major future component of the nation’s nuclear forces. The Bulava missile “self-destructed and exploded in the air” after a launch from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine beneath the surface of the White Sea.
US Navy – Flying Submarine or Submerging Seaplane?
Defense Tech – Flying Submarine or Submerging Seaplane?
Norman Polmar writes that submarines cannot fly, but seaplanes can submerge — if you build them properly.
Geopolitics / Somalia – The Guns of Anarchy
Washington Post – The Guns of Anarchy
Mark Bowden surveys the current situation in Somalia.
Geopolitics / Finance – The Ascent of Money
Wall Street Journal – The Ascent of Money
An excerpt from Niall Ferguson’s new book…
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