United States and Canada

Is the F-35 the Industrial Base?

By James Hasik

Consuming 40 percent of the Pentagon’s future spending plans, the JSF may come to dominate defense planning Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbot announced that the Royal Australian Air Force’s order for F-35A Lightning IIs was now up to a full wing of 72 aircraft. The bad news is that each aircraft, even deducting for […]

Applying American Power in the 21st Century

As recent events have shown, the United States must find a more effective way to operate in the 21st century. War roils in the Middle East; trade talks are faltering or reaching intractable sticking points; and fiscal uncertainty erodes America’s economic and military power. The issues of today, as well as developments that are meeting […]

US Calls For Senior Russian Official to Help OSCE Negotiate Disarmament of Separatists in Ukraine

By Victoria Nuland, Department of State

[W]e have not seen the kind of major de-escalation that we’re looking for, nor have we seen serious Russian efforts to help the OSCE, or to speak out against the separatists since Geneva.

Stop Blaming NATO for Putin’s Provocations

By James Goldgeier, New Republic

The principal problem with the argument against NATO enlargement is that it never offers an alternative beyond leaving Europe frozen in time in 1989.

Canada Sending Six Fighter Jets for NATO Operation in Eastern Europe

By Hannah Thibedeau, CBC News

Canada is sending six CF-18s and military personnel to assist NATO in operations in Eastern Europe.

European Defense Post-QDR

With the recent release of the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) from the US Department of Defense there is a need to analyze and create a strategy to deal with the world ahead. On April 16, 2014, a panel of experts on the defense budget and international security discussed the strategy and means by which […]

Strong Sanctions May Have Prevented Russia’s Intervention in Eastern Ukraine

By Editorial Board, Washington Post

A tough Western reaction might have stopped the Russian offensive after last weekend. Now it is far more dangerous.

Russian Jet Made Multiple, Close Passes Near US Warship in Black Sea

By Lolita Baldor, AP

A U.S. military official says a Russian fighter jet made multiple, close-range passes near an American warship in the Black Sea for more than 90 minutes Saturday amid escalating tensions in the region.

Manning and Przystup: Obama-Abe Summit should Overcome Dangerous ‘Mirror-Image Trust Gap’

By Robert A. Manning and James Przystup

As U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gear up for a timely summit, a festering sense of uncertainty and unease stalks the U.S.-Japan alliance as it approaches a critical juncture. After an exciting first year marked by renewed economic dynamism and impressive efforts to enhance Japan’s global strategic posture, Abe’s pragmatic streak […]