US Marines – Marines Launch New Afghan Mission

July 3rd, 2009

Washington PostMarines Launch New Afghan Mission

U.S. Marines began fanning out across the southern Helmand River valley Thursday, traveling by foot and armored convoys under the scorching summer sun in an effort to wrest control of the area from Taliban insurgents.

US Navy – North Korean ‘weapons to Burma’ ship tracked by US

July 2nd, 2009

Daily TelegraphNorth Korean ‘weapons to Burma’ ship tracked by US

A North Korean ship suspected of carrying weapons to Burma has reversed direction after being tracked by the United States Navy.

New York TimesSecond Thoughts on North Korea’s Inscrutable Ship

Royal Navy – Navy carriers ‘£1bn over budget’

July 1st, 2009

BBCNavy carriers ‘£1bn over budget’

A £1bn cost over-run is threatening the future of the publicly-funded project to build Britain’s biggest aircraft carriers.

Miscellaneous – Commanders Respond

June 30th, 2009

US Naval Institute ProceedingsCommanders Respond

Piracy. The international monetary crisis. Terrorism. Global Warming. These and more affect us all, so our question to naval commanders-in-chief around the world is: What is the most significant maritime security threat facing your nation and how do your sea services address this challenge?

Afghanistan – A Personal Touch in Taliban Fight

June 29th, 2009

Washington PostA Personal Touch in Taliban Fight

Greg Jaffe writes that in the Afghan mountains, a company commander strives to gain the trust of frustrated villagers

Royal Navy – Royal Navy destroyer goes into service without missile system

June 28th, 2009

Daily TelegraphRoyal Navy destroyer goes into service without missile system

A state of the art Royal Navy destroyer is to enter service without its vital missile system working in a move branded as “disgraceful” by a committee of MPs.

US Navy – Navy to proceed with undersea training range

June 28th, 2009

Virginian PilotNavy to proceed with undersea training range
The Navy announced Friday it would proceed with plans to construct an undersea water training range off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla.

US Navy – Navy was tracking Chinese sub

June 27th, 2009

Navy TimesNavy was tracking Chinese sub

Two defense officials have confirmed that the crew aboard the destroyer John S. McCain was tracking the submarine that struck its towed sonar array June 10 in the South China Sea off the Philippines.

Afghanistan – Erratic Afghan Forces Pose Challenge to U.S. Goals

June 27th, 2009

New York TimesErratic Afghan Forces Pose Challenge to U.S. Goals

CJ Chiver’s latest report from Afghanistan.

Somali Navy – Somali navy chief: World’s worst job?

June 26th, 2009

BBCSomali navy chief: World’s worst job?

If you think you face an uphill challenge at work today, spare a thought for Farah Ahmed Omar, the man in charge of Somalia’s navy.

Iran – The Green Revolution(s)

June 26th, 2009

New York TimesThe Green Revolution(s)

Thomas Friedman describes how to undermine the the Iranian regime, using the same strategy that undermined the Soviet Union…

US Navy – NKorean cargo ship could test new UN sanctions

June 25th, 2009

Associated PressNKorean cargo ship could test new UN sanctions

A North Korean ship suspected of transporting weapons toward Myanmar, the Kang Nam left the port of North Korean port of Nampo a week ago, and the destroyer USS John S. McCain is following as it sails off the Chinese coast. The sailing sets up the first test of a new U.N. Security Council resolution that authorizes member states to inspect North Korean vessels suspected of carrying banned weapons or materials. The sanctions are punishment for an underground nuclear test the North carried out last month in defiance of past resolutions. It’s not clear exactly what the Kang Nam has on board, but it has transported illicit goods in the past. The North has said it would consider any interception “an act of war.”

Iran – Iran’s Struggle, and Ours

June 25th, 2009

Washington PostIran’s Struggle, and Ours

Robert D. Kaplan’s analysis of the current situation in Iran.

French Navy – Officials deny that Air France black box signals have been received

June 24th, 2009

Associated PressOfficials deny that Air France black box signals have been received

French military ships searching for the black boxes of Flight 447 have detected sounds in the Atlantic Ocean but they are not from the Air France plane’s flight recorders, French officials said Tuesday.

US Navy – U.S. Keeps Close Eye On North Korean Ship

June 23rd, 2009

Wall Street JournalU.S. Keeps Close Eye On North Korean Ship

The US Navy continues to trail a North Korean cargo ship believed headed toward Myanmar, in part because U.S. officials worry that Pyongyang plans to transfer major weapons systems and possibly nuclear technologies to the repressive Southeast Asian country.

US Navy – Shipbuilding Program Is A Mess

June 23rd, 2009

DefenseTechShipbuilding Program Is A Mess

Norman Polmar writes that the US Navy ship building program is a mess.

US Navy – Crisis of Confidence

June 22nd, 2009

US Naval Institute ProceedingsCrisis of Confidence

The Navy – at its highest levels – needs to change the way it buys and builds its ships.

Afghanistan – If We Lose Hearts And Minds, We Will Lose The War

June 21st, 2009

The SpectatorIf We Lose Hearts And Minds, We Will Lose The War

David Kilcullen, the man who helped think up the strategy that saved Iraq, saysthat high-tech weaponry is not the answer in Afghanistan. Only a genuine partnership with the people can help us win.

Geopolitics – Arctic Melt: Reopening a Naval Frontier

June 20th, 2009

US Naval Institute ProceedingsArctic Melt: Reopening a Naval Frontier

Changes in the Arctic environment – no matter the cause – are a great national security concern.

Geopolitics – The Revenge of Geography

June 19th, 2009

Foreign PolicyThe Revenge of Geography

Robert D. Kaplan writes that people and ideas influence events, but geography largely determines them, now more than ever. To understand the coming struggles, it’s time to dust off the Victorian thinkers who knew the physical world best. A journalist who has covered the ends of the Earth offers a guide to the relief map—and a primer on the next phase of conflict.


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