Defense Technology International – French Navy Deploys Anti-Smuggling Surveillance Frigate Off Gaza Coast
A French frigate carrying a helicopter was on its way Friday to international waters off the coast of Gaza to participate in a mission against arms trafficking in the Palestinian territory.
Washington Times – China tries American ‘soft power’ with hospital ship
China’s military has a new weapon in the country’s soft-power arsenal that copies a technique long used by the United States – a 10,000-ton hospital ship to be deployed for humanitarian purposes in Asia and beyond.
The vessel, dubbed Ship 866, is meant to soften China’s image overseas and allay concerns among its neighbors over its navy´s growing strength, while at the same time adding to its military capabilities.
Virginian Pilot – Navy gets approval for sonar in Atlantic
The government agency responsible for protecting marine mammals on Friday broadly authorized the Navy to use sonar off the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico for the next five years.
Foreign Affairs – Where Are the Civilians? How to Rebuild the U.S. Foreign Service
If it hopes to achieve its foreign policy agenda, the Obama administration will need to undo the damage to the Foreign Service wrought by the Bush administration.
Virginian Pilot – Faced with rising piracy problem, Navy is taking fight to Africa
In just two weeks, a new U.S. Navy anti-piracy effort has picked up a pair of allies – the weather and a nation willing to accept captured pirates.
Choppy seas have discouraged piracy attempts since the Navy established the force, known as Combined Task Force 151, two weeks ago. The U.S. also has reached a preliminary agreement with Kenya to accept captured pirates
The Times – John Hutton ‘deceived MPs over Navy cuts’
John Hutton has been accused of deceiving Parliament over his explanation for a two-year delay in the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier programme.
The allegation came after Lockheed Martin, the American defence company, contradicted his account. He had said that the delay was linked to a later delivery date for the aircraft that the vessels will carry.
Center For A New American Security – From Preponderance to Partnership: American Maritime Power in the 21st Century
A proposed naval strategy for the U.S. in the 21st century.
AFP – Sri Lankan Navy destoys four Tamil boats fleeing island
Sri Lanka said yesterday it had destroyed four Tamil Tiger boats trying to escape government soldiers closing in on the rebels’ last base in the northeast of the island.
AFP – Cabinet backs plan to send SKorea warship against Somali pirates
Seoul’s cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to send a warship and 310 troops to combat piracy off Somalia where several South Korean ships have been seized, officials said. The dispatch of a destroyer, which must be approved by parliament next month, would mark the first-ever overseas combat deployment by the country’s navy.
Air Force – PACAF’s “Vision” Thing
A new wargame tells airmen what it will take to hold the line in the Far East.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NOSI’s archive from January – December 2008 is now available: January – December 2008
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.
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.
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.
DefenseTech – China Seriously Considering Carriers
Norman Polmar summarizes the latest Chinese statements on acquiring aircraft carriers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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