New York Times – A Young Marine’s Dream Job
Journalist C.J. Chivers, a former Marine, visits a Marine unit in Afghanistan.
US Navy – All at sea
Economist – All at sea
Foreign military bases have both political and practical difficulties. “Seabasing” may offer a solution
US Navy – Will cash crisis leave Navy high and dry?
San Diego Union Tribune – Will cash crisis leave Navy high and dry?
A serious Navy cash crunch is threatening to leave sailors in San Diego and across the fleet stranded ashore, unable to change duty stations and without the bonuses that have long encouraged them to stay in uniform. In recent weeks, Navy officials have instituted a series of austerity measures to reduce costs or postpone them until the next fiscal year, which begins Oct 1.
Geopolitics / Iraq – A Tale of Two Wars
Foreign Affairs – A Tale of Two Wars
Richard Haass’ perceptive insider’s account of the policymaking leading up to both Iraq wars — one a “war of choice,” the other a “war of necessity” — holds key lessons for future U.S. leadership in the Middle East and beyond.
US Navy – Norfolk-based ship fends off pirates off Somalia
Virginian Pilot – Norfolk-based ship fends off pirates off Somalia
A case of mistaken identity for the pirates of Somalia…
Fourth Generation Warfare – COIN lies we love
Armed Forces Journal – COIN lies we love
Ralph Peters dissects the myth that the military has only a supporting role to play in counterinsurgency.
Indian Navy – Warship sent to protect Seychelles from pirates
Daily Telegraph – Warship sent to protect Seychelles from pirates
An Indian warship have been sent to protect the Seychelles from Somalian pirates who have attacked eight merchant vessels in the area in the last week.
Geopolitics / Iran – Why Iran Won't Stop Loving the Bomb
Esquire – Why Iran Won’t Stop Loving the Bomb
Thomas P.M. Barnett writes that even if voters walk out on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June’s election like delegates did at yesterday’s U.N. conference on racism, don’t expect the new government to forgo nuclear pursuits — not at this crossroads. A preview of Tehran’s battle ahead.
Royal Navy – New Royal Navy frigates to be based at Portsmouth
Daily Telegraph – New Royal Navy frigates to be based at Portsmouth
The next generation of frigates are to be based at Portsmouth Naval Base as part of a major shake-up of the Royal Navy announced by the Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth.
US Navy – US navy halts aid vessel over flu
BBC – US navy halts aid vessel over flu
The US navy is postponing an aid mission to the South Pacific after a sailor on the vessel scheduled to take the trip developed swine flu.
US Navy – Lawmakers seek openness after Navy closes reports
Virginian Pilot – Lawmakers seek openness after Navy closes reports
Amid reports that Navy inspectors found six ships unfit for their missions last year, some members of Congress are pressing the service to reconsider a decision to shroud its most detailed inspection reports.
Geopolitics / Pakistan – Pakistan's Critical Hour
Washington Post – Pakistan’s Critical Hour
Ahmed Rashid on the current state of affairs in Pakistan.
South Korean Navy – SKorean warship rescues NKorean vessel off Somalia
Associated Press – SKorean warship rescues NKorean vessel off Somalia
South Korean snipers hovering in a helicopter Monday chased away pirates pursuing a North Korean freighter, a rare instance of recent cooperation between the two Koreas.
Information Warfare – Blinders
Defense and the National Interest – Blinders
William Lind describes the importance of open source intelligence asks why is the Pentagon censoring the US military’s access to it?
Chinese Navy – Chinese Navy Requires Supercruising Fighter
Defense Tech – Chinese Navy Requires Supercruising Fighter
A supercruising combat aircraft is a high priority of the Chinese navy, the country’s top admiral says in a revealing official interview that gives strong clues of perceived shortcomings and future directions for the maritime force.
Iraq – We must take on board the lessons of Iraq
Daily Telegraph – We must take on board the lessons of Iraq
As British troops head home from Iraq, John Keegan says military force should be used only as a last resort.
Geopolitics – The Great Game Moves North
Foreign Affairs – The Great Game Moves North
As the Arctic melts, countries vie for control.
Transformation – Inside the War Against Robert Gates
Esquire – Inside the War Against Robert Gates
Thomas P.M. Barnett writes that if the Iraqi and Afghan insurgents — and, now, the Somali pirates — have taught us anything, it’s that the era of the “big war” is behind us. No one gets that more than our Secretary of Defense, argues a top global-security expert, and that’s why his Pentagon overhaul will beat the backlash.
Chinese Navy – China has high naval ambitions
BBC – China has high naval ambitions
The military parade to mark the 60th anniversary of China’s navy is not just a chance for the Chinese to celebrate. It is also a reminder that China is now an important naval power – and will become more important in the future.
Military Space – Above the clouds: the White Cloud ocean surveillance satellites
The Space Review – Above the clouds: the White Cloud ocean surveillance satellites
In the 1970s the NRO and the Navy developed a new series of spacecraft designed to monitor naval vessels on the high seas. Dwayne Day describes the history of this effort, which until recently had been shrouded in secrecy.
Russian Navy – Carrier Baggage
Defense Technology International – Carrier Baggage
Russian continues to demonstrate interest in building a new aircraft carrier.
Russian Navy – Russians seize 29 suspected Somali pirates
Daily Telegraph – Russians seize 29 suspected Somali pirates
A Russian warship has seized 29 suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia.
Information Warfare – U.S. Steps Up Effort on Digital Defenses
New York Times – U.S. Steps Up Effort on Digital Defenses
Computers, indispensable in peace, are becoming ever more important in political conflicts and open warfare. This is the first article in a series on the growing use of computing power as a weapon.
Geopolitics – Missing the boat
Armed Forces Journal – Missing the boat
Failure to join the Law of the Sea Convention harms U.S. interests.
Columbian Navy – Drug-Sub Culture
New York Times Magazine – Drug-Sub Culture
A look at the latest way to get drugs out of Columbia by submarine.
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