Defense Policy
PacNet #28 - Philippines v. China arbitration: be careful what you wish for
Sometime in late-spring/early-summer, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will issue a highly-awaited final ruling on a Filipino protestation that China’s maritime claims – and actions in defense of those claims – in the South China Sea are contrary to UNCLOS and thereby a violation of the Philippines’ sover
Categories: Defense Policy
The Army Modernization Challenge
Since 2008, Army modernization ([1] Procurement; and [2] Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) accounts) total obligation authority has fallen by 74 percent in real terms. In absolute terms, this decline seems substantial, but how does the current Army modernization trajectory compare to the challenges faced in previous defense drawdowns?
Categories: Defense Policy
Beyond the Headlines: The U.S.-Brazil Relationship
The turmoil in Brazilian politics has reached a head with the potential impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff , as the economic crisis and
Categories: Defense Policy
Afghanistan: Shift to a “Conditions–Based” Strategy or Lose the “Forgotten War”
The Obama Administration’s lack of focus on the Afghan War is symbolized by the fact that it is no longer even listed as one of the “Top Issues” on the Department of Defense’s website.
Categories: Defense Policy
Thornberry’s Acquisition Bill: Defense Reform Awakens
Q1: Why did House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry release a stand-alone acquisition reform bill on March 15, 2016?
Categories: Defense Policy
PacNet #27 - Principles for planning a US alliance with a unified Korea
North Korea’s fourth nuclear test this past January and its long-range missile launch in February underscore the fact that the reclusive regime remains, in the words of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, an “up close, dangerous, and continuing threat to the security of the Peninsula and the region.” Pyongyang’s actions highlight the role of the US-ROK alliance in deterring
Categories: Defense Policy
An Arctic Redesign
The Arctic Council was launched in 1996 as an informal, consensual, and cooperative mechanism without either legal personality or operational mandate. It was designed to enhance measures to collectively protect the Arctic’s environment and to explore sustainable development opportunities.
Categories: Defense Policy
Poking the Hornet’s Nest in Libya: “War Four” and This Time We Get it Right?
Very few of the classic writers on strategy suggest randomly poking a hornet’s nest to see what happens next. The key question for anyone talking about intervention in Libya, however, is exactly what outside intervention can actually accomplish. Various media leaks have talked about a major Italian ground force, an Italian-led mix of European forces, a major U.S.
Categories: Defense Policy
Fukushima Daiichi—Five Years Later
On March 11, 2011, an historic earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan and also caused three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to experience core meltdowns. Five years later, 99,750 people still cannot return to their hometowns in the Fukushima Prefecture. What are the most significant lessons we can draw from this?
Categories: Defense Policy
The Coming Petroleum Revenues Crisis in the MENA
The world is so focused on ISIS or Daesh—and on the crises in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen—that it is easy to forget that the political upheavals in the MENA region that began in 2011, and have become the “Arab Winter,” arose from other causes.
Categories: Defense Policy
PacNet #26 - Crisis on the Korean Peninsula: time for “Plan B”?
The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war, and military confrontations are a constant source of instability for the wider region. Recently, the security situation has further deteriorated after North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test and tested an ICBM, calling it a satellite launch.
Categories: Defense Policy
PacNet #25 - Replacing Armistice Agreement with Peace Agreement is the best way for ensuring peace
This article provides a DPRK perspective. While readers may find fault with many of its arguments and points of view (as do we), it is published to provide our readership with insights into how the DPRK sees the current situation.
Categories: Defense Policy
Admiral Gorshkov Frigate Reveals Serious Shortcomings in Russia’s Naval Modernization Program
Since 2008, as part of its ongoing military reform, Moscow has embarked on a large-scale program of naval expansion intended to recapitalize its ailing shipbuilding industry and rebuild and modernize its fleet. Despite substantial efforts to make good on its naval modernization plans, including significant state spending, what has been delivered thus far has fallen well short of expectations.
Categories: Defense Policy
Is there an Obama Doctrine?
An article in today's New York Times flags a Presidential interview in the Atlantic in ways that are certain to draw global attention, particularly in the countries whose leaders are criticized, the Middle East, Russia, China, and Asia.
Categories: Defense Policy
Saudi Arabia and the United States: Common Interests and Continuing Sources of Tension
The working draft has been revised to reflect a number of Saudi and U.S. comments, and the final draft of this report is available at http://csis.org/files/publication/160310_cordesman_saudi_arabia.pdf.
Categories: Defense Policy
Impact Player: Kim Hong-kyun
Kim Hong-kyun is the new Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs for the Republic of Korea.
Categories: Defense Policy
PacNet #24 - Mahathir & Anwar vs Najib: how will it end?
The unthinkable is happening in Malaysian politics. It is triggered by the deepest political crisis the country has ever known, at the center of which is Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Categories: Defense Policy
How Serious are North Korea’s Pre-emptive Attack Threats?
- Annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises commenced today on March 7. Their scale is larger than previous exercises and will run until April 30.
- Over the weekend, North Korea threatened to launch a “preemptive nuclear strike of justice” in response to the military exercises.
Categories: Defense Policy
Afghanistan: The Uncertain Impact of a Year of Transition
Previous Burke Chair reports have addressed the fact that it has now been a year since U.S. and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat forces formally left Afghanistan.
Categories: Defense Policy
Goldwater-Nichols 2.0
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has focused Washington’s attention on management headquarters and command relationships through a series of hearings that the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has held in recent months. The senator has vowed to make major changes, so the national security community is paying close attention.
Categories: Defense Policy
