Afghanistan – From Great Game to Grand Bargain: Ending Chaos in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Foreign AffairsFrom Great Game to Grand Bargain: Ending Chaos in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Ahmed Rashid writes that the crisis in Afghanistan and Pakistan is beyond the point where more troops will help. U.S. strategy must be to seek compromise with insurgents while addressing regional rivalries and insecurities

German Navy – What's German For "Avast, Lubberly Scum"?

Defense Technology InternationalWhat’s German For “Avast, Lubberly Scum”?

The German Ministry of Defense will make up to 1,400 military personnel available for the EU’s anti-piracy naval operation…The frigate that Germany plans to contribute to the mission only requires 500 men for alternating crews but it is also planned to place commandos on German-owned cargo ships.

Chinese Navy – OTH Radar and the ASBM Threat

IMINT & AnalysisOTH Radar and the ASBM Threat

A fascinating post on how China can close the sensor-shooter loop to provide targeting for its anti ship ballistic missiles – “Over the horizon radar systems, once a source of long range early warning for Cold War enemies, have evolved to the point that their presence on the battlefield poses a serious threat to friendly forces. While many nations have developed OTH systems for various surveillance purposes, Chinese developments in this and other fields have effectively transformed the OTH from a missile warning system to a missile targeting system.”

(Special thanks to Cris for bringing this post and some other recent posts to my attention!)

Chinese Navy – Mystery Chinese Hospital Ship: What's It For?

WiredMystery Chinese Hospital Ship: What’s It For?

Late last month, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) accepted its first purpose-built floating hospital, the 10,000-ton “Ship 866.” While seemingly innocuous on the surface, ships like this are windows into an evolving military strategy for an emerging world power.

World Politics ReviewNew Chinese Naval Ships a Window into Evolving Strategy