US Naval Institute Proceedings – Too Busy to Learn

When the current wars begin to wind down, which they inevitably will, we need to take a closer look at reforming-possibly even by congressional mandate-professional military education (PME).

US Naval War College Review – Australia’s 2009 Defense White Paper – A Maritime Focus For Uncertain Times

As a significant medium power in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia inescapably is a participant in the most politically, economically, and strategically dynamic part of the world. The region is a vast and politically complex area, one that is increasingly prosperous, confident, volatile, and potentially dangerous in almost equal parts. Situated at the nexus of the Pacific and Indian oceans, Australia must share in both the opportunities and challenges thrown up by these two great maritime stages for geopolitical interaction.

Defense Technology International – Air-Sea Battle

Bill Sweetman on the US Navy’s and US Air Force’s emerging concept of Air-Sea Battle.

The Best Defense – Piracy Watch: Absalon, Absalon!

People tend to neglect the contributions of smaller nations like Denmark in the war against piracy. Here is a nice reminder.

Best Defense – Garacad, the nastiest place you’ve never heard of — but will

Last week brought promising news of a first step in denying pirates the use of ports such as Garacad, along the middle of the Somali coastline. The ministers of the defense of the European Union announced an expansion of the mission of EU’s Operation Atalanta to “include control of the Somali ports where pirates are based as well as ‘neutralizing’ mother ships that allow the pirates to operate over 1,000 kilometers from the coast.”

Newsweek – Defending Against Drones

P.W. Singer on how the United States’ new favorite weapon in the war on terror could soon be turned against us.

Defense Technology International – Adm. Roughead on Subs; Canadians on the Arctic Arms Race

Speaking at the Conference of Defense Associations’ gathering in the Canadian capital this morning, the U.S. Navy’s Adm. Gary Roughead stressed the need for the U.S. Navy to work with regional allies to protect the global commons from both state and non-state actors who seek to disrupt trade on the surface, and disrupt lines of communication and resource extraction on the ocean floor.

BBC – Ukraine’s Yanukovych signals shift over Russia fleet

The newly elected president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych has suggested he would allow Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to remain in his country beyond 2017.

Los Angeles Times – America, the fragile empire

Niall Ferguson asks what if history is not cyclical and slow-moving but arrhythmic — at times almost stationary but also capable of accelerating suddenly, like a sports car? What if collapse does not arrive over a number of centuries but comes suddenly, like a thief in the night?

UPI – India’s emerging maritime clout

The Indian Defense Ministry’s Sixth Land and Naval Defense Systems Exhibition held in New Delhi last month showcased newly inducted equipment by the country’s navy and army.

Defense Technology International – A Follow-On To Kuznetsov?

The Russian Navy is making plans for a new aircraft carrier fleet. Navy commander Adm Vladimir Vysotsky announced on Friday, February 26, that the technical design of Russia’s new aircraft carrier will be completed by the end of 2010.

BBC – Singapore warns of threat to tankers in Malacca Strait

Singapore has learned that an unnamed group may be planning to attack oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

The Times – Russia announces plans to buy four French warships from France

Russia is to buy four warships from France in the biggest defence deal with a Nato member since the end of the Cold War. In a move that has alarmed Georgia and the Baltic States, France and Russia said that they were in “exclusive talks” on the sale of Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.

Washington Post – Combat Generation: Drone operators climb on winds of change in the Air Force

The Air Force’s identity crisis is one of many ways that a decade of intense and unrelenting combat is reshaping the U.S. military and redefining the American way of war. The battle against insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq has created an insatiable demand for the once-lowly drone, elevating the importance of the officers who fly them.

New York Times – After Push in Marja, Marines Try to Win Trust

CJ Chivers writes that after the declaration this weekend that the battle for the Taliban enclave of Marja had been won, for the Marines standing behind sandbags and walking patrols, the more complicated work has begun. With it will be a test of the strategy selected by President Obama and the generals now running the Afghan war.

Daily Telegraph – Navy intercepts Argentinian warship near British waters

The Royal Navy has intercepted an Argentinian warship near British waters in an apparent escalation of the row over the Falkland Islands.

AFP – US Navy rescues Tanzanian ship

A US Navy warship prevented an attack on a Tanzanian ship and apprehended eight suspected pirates in the process, the US Embassy in Tanzania said yesterday.

BBC – US Navy moves to let women serve on submarines

The US defence department has decided to allow women to serve aboard submarines, according to officials.

BBC – Argentina takes Falklands oil dispute with UK to UN

Argentina is seeking United Nations support in its new row with the UK over oil drilling off the Falkland Islands.

New York Times – Afghans Voice Their Fears Amid Marja Campaign

C.J. Chivers in Afghanistan.