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Russian President Vladimir Putin, April 9, 2015

NATOSource

Oct 2, 2015

The Consequences of Russia’s Bombing Campaign in Syria

By Josh Seigel, Daily Signal

Under the guise of fighting terrorism to protect itself and save the ruthless government of Bashar-al-Assad, Russian warplanes on Thursday conducted a second day of airstrikes in Syria, allegedly targeting not the Islamic State but rival rebel groups.

Iraq Russia
Gen. John Galvin, NATO SACEUR and EUCOM Commander1987-1992

NATOSource

Oct 1, 2015

John Galvin, NATO Commander at the Close of the Cold War, Dies at 86

By Washington Post and New York Times

From Harrison Smith, Washington Post: John R. Galvin, a four-star Army general who served as the United States’ and NATO’s top military commander in Europe in the final years of the Cold War and whose foresight on counterinsurgency strategy influenced one of his young aides, future general and CIA director David H. Petraeus, died Sept. […]

NATO Security & Defense
Range of Russia's Iskander missiles when deployed in Kaliningrad

NATOSource

Oct 1, 2015

Is NATO’s New Fulda Gap in Poland?

By Paul McLeary, Foreign Policy

The head of U.S. Army Europe is eyeing a narrow sliver of land connecting Poland with Lithuania, concerned about the Russian troops and equipment he has been watching pile up on either side.

Belarus NATO
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, July 30, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 28, 2015

General Dempsey: NATO has Taken Deterrence ‘For Granted’

By James Kitfield, Politico Europe

Dempsey sees yet more escalating crises while Washington and other Western capitals slash defense budgets, still vainly searching for a “peace dividend” when there is little real peace to be leveraged.

Iraq NATO
Gen. Ben Hodges, Commander of US Army Europe, Aug. 6, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 25, 2015

General: US Forces in Europe Missing Three Key Capabilities

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Breaking Defense

US command and control networks take too long to link to allies and respond to Russia’s rapid-fire aggression.

Europe & Eurasia NATO
9P78-1 TEL for Iskander-M missile system, April 22, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 23, 2015

Kremlin: Russia Will Take Countermeasures if US Places New Nuclear Weapons in Germany

By AP, International Business Times, and Reuters

From AP:  The Kremlin says Russia will take countermeasures if the U.S. places new nuclear weapons at a base in Germany.

Germany NATO

Defense Industrialist

Sep 23, 2015

A new New Look

By James Hasik

The West needs “a complete strategic rethink” of how it goes to war. In The Australian last November, David Kilcullen argued that “the West’s failed counter-terrorism strategy requires a complete rethink.” Set aside for the moment James Fallows’ screed in The Atlantic last December. Thirteen years of not-quite-winning two wars in the Middle East and South Asia, despite overwhelming material […]

Defense Policy Security & Defense

Defense Industrialist

Sep 23, 2015

Take the money

By James Hasik

Defense contractors are repurchasing shares because investment incentives are lacking. About a month ago (14 August 2015), Politico Pro highlighted how the largest US defense contractors are running their businesses substantially for cash, passing as much of their earnings as they can to shareholders as dividends and share repurchases. “Top Pentagon officials,” the reporter went on, “have […]

Defense Industry Economy & Business

Defense Industrialist

Sep 23, 2015

Airplane guys versus bean counters

By James Hasik

The battle for the soul of the American military, part 2 On Monday, I wrote of how Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, who is running for president, wants a bigger Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. A large part of the solution involves cutting staff at headquarters, and in streamlining management. The corporate parallel is […]

Defense Industry Security & Defense
Russian President Vladimir Putin, August 20, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 21, 2015

Russia to Deploy 2,000 in Syria Air Base Mission’s ‘First Phase’

By Kathrin Hille and John Reed, Financial Times

Russia is to deploy 2,000 military personnel to its new air base near the Syrian port city of Latakia, signalling the scale of Moscow’s involvement in the war-torn country.

Russia Syria

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