By Rick Morris
Jane's Information Group has some of the best intelligence in the world at its fingertips. On matters ranging from military to security to weaponry and beyond, the staff at Jane's provides top-notch information to its subscribers and probably runs rings around our frequently inept CIA much of the time.The site includes free excerpts of its material in many different categories. From time to time here at The FDH Lounge Blog, we will link directly to their outstanding material on many subjects and allow those of you who are very much concerned with geopolitics and the world around us to keep up on important matters.
In addition to the material below, we refer you to the January, February, March, and April installments of this series.
Defense
China’s NORINCO develops new 40 mm automatic grenade launcher
Former DoD official pours cold water on Taiwan’s submarine deal with US
Contenders submit bids for Indian Multirole Combat Aircraft requirement
German report calls for improved armed forces structure
Global Hawk scoops Broad Area Maritime Surveillance prize
US DoD rebuts criticism of program cost estimation
Life after Bush – the US defense budget
Saab heralds next-generation Gripen improvements
Broadening the horizon: battlefield broadband
Shooting match – navies face gun-caliber multiple choice
Public Safety
Plan to ban sex offenders from online networking sites
Executive Overview: Jane’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal
Security
Zawahiri answers back
China-US hotline could stay cool
Rising crime in Costa Rica
US claims North Korea helped Syria build alleged reactor
Secret Sanya – China’s new nuclear naval base revealed
Anti-aircraft weapon seized from Brazilian drug gang
China may recall arms shipment to Zimbabwe
Georgia accuses Russia of shooting down drone
Ukraine – industrial and common espionage
Kenya appoints prime minister and cabinet
Who will head Russia’s new version of the FBI?
Russian parliament to decide if Putin is to become prime minister
Pakistan – new leader, new politics?
FARC exposed
Zimbabwe’s ruling party loses its hold on parliament
Law Enforcement
Forensic science review calls for better standards and training
Ecuador purges armed forces and police
Police force keeps tabs on officers
Transport
BAA breakup on the horizon
TSA head announces high-tech screening program
US carriers seek cash options
Shipping stays on course
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Monday, May 5, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Way down in Kosovo -- Bermuda, Bahama ...
By Rick Morris
I am someone who is intrigued by geopolitics, but even I find the situation in the Balkans (both over the last 20 years and historically) very confusing. I do know that I opposed the 1999 US war on Serbia as something that was not in our vital national interest and I would have rather seen a minimal US presence in international peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia over the years -- but beyond the few issues very clear to me one way or another about our national interest, I don't have too many strongly-held beliefs about how our country should navigate through this swamp of ethnic and religious hatred and endless cycles of revenge.
But, as I do in general when it comes to international affairs, I find myself nodding affirmatively to the writings of Pat Buchanan, perhaps the foremost "America Firster" on the scene today. His latest article, "Does Balkanization Beckon Anew?" raises questions that the Einsteins in our State Department who eagerly led the United States to recognize the new "country" of Kosovo cannot possibly understand.
Again, I don't claim to understand all of the radioactive factors at play in this particularly sticky corner of the globe. But after reading Pat's article, I do know this: we have set an absolutely horrible precedent here. Consider the list of countries who are dealing with their own secession movements -- and who we now are bound by precedent to anger by supporting their breakaway republics:
^ Serbia (again)
^ Montenegro
^ Macedonia
^ Bosnia and Herzegovina
^ Romania
^ Georgia
^ Spain
^ Turkey
^ Moldova
^ Russia
^ China
^ Canada
Huh. That's a long list of countries to have PO'd at us, don't you think? And all because the eggheads at Foggy Bottom couldn't wait to scratch that anti-Serbian itch one more time.
Everybody in this country that praises diplomacy has apparently never studied our diplomats ...
I am someone who is intrigued by geopolitics, but even I find the situation in the Balkans (both over the last 20 years and historically) very confusing. I do know that I opposed the 1999 US war on Serbia as something that was not in our vital national interest and I would have rather seen a minimal US presence in international peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia over the years -- but beyond the few issues very clear to me one way or another about our national interest, I don't have too many strongly-held beliefs about how our country should navigate through this swamp of ethnic and religious hatred and endless cycles of revenge.
But, as I do in general when it comes to international affairs, I find myself nodding affirmatively to the writings of Pat Buchanan, perhaps the foremost "America Firster" on the scene today. His latest article, "Does Balkanization Beckon Anew?" raises questions that the Einsteins in our State Department who eagerly led the United States to recognize the new "country" of Kosovo cannot possibly understand.
Again, I don't claim to understand all of the radioactive factors at play in this particularly sticky corner of the globe. But after reading Pat's article, I do know this: we have set an absolutely horrible precedent here. Consider the list of countries who are dealing with their own secession movements -- and who we now are bound by precedent to anger by supporting their breakaway republics:
^ Serbia (again)
^ Montenegro
^ Macedonia
^ Bosnia and Herzegovina
^ Romania
^ Georgia
^ Spain
^ Turkey
^ Moldova
^ Russia
^ China
^ Canada
Huh. That's a long list of countries to have PO'd at us, don't you think? And all because the eggheads at Foggy Bottom couldn't wait to scratch that anti-Serbian itch one more time.
Everybody in this country that praises diplomacy has apparently never studied our diplomats ...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Geopolitics roundup from Jane's
By Rick Morris
Jane's Information Group has some of the best intelligence in the world at its fingertips. On matters ranging from military to security to weaponry and beyond, the staff at Jane's provides top-notch information to its subscribers and probably runs rings around our frequently inept CIA much of the time.
The site includes free excerpts of its material in many different categories. From time to time here at The FDH Lounge Blog, we will link directly to their outstanding material on many subjects and allow those of you who are very much concerned with geopolitics and the world around us to keep up on important matters.
SECURITY
Tribal turmoil - Kenyan election exposes ethnic fissures
Kenya: Teetering on the brink?
Kenya's urban battlefield
US terrorist watch list remains fundamentally troubled
Indian arms sales to Myanmar remain under scrutiny
Russian evolution
The $100 question - Security implications of rising oil prices
Can airlines live with $100 oil?
Farewell to arms
Power plays - Creation of the West African Gas Pipeline
Political fallout - The threat to Pakistan's nuclear stability
Bomb blast kills senior Lebanese army commander
US-led operation kills senior Taliban commander
Iraq insurgency unity collapses
Southeast Asia's tri-border black spot
JTIC briefing: LNG tanker terrorism
UN launches ISU to reduce WMD threat
US still hopes Musharraf-Bhutto deal can be saved
The Pakistan People's Party after Benazir Bhutto
DEFENSE
UK considers alternatives to Nimrod R.1 upgrade
UK RAF Nimrod inquiry says leaking fuel was likely cause
The Afghan National Army: nothing without NATO
Iran set to acquire S-300PTs from Belarus
Iran may have lined up S-300 SAM systems
Bush administration backs JDAM sales to Saudi Arabia
Russia tests cruise missile for Iskander TEL
Europe focuses on better co-ordinated maritime security
UGVs herald skip change in urban ops
UK moves on Challenger 2 upgrades
UK looks to arm expanded Reaper force
Australia's DSTO unveils weaponised robot
China marches forward
US budget request for increased defense spending masks squeeze on procurement and R&D
Mission fatigue - the future of military interventionism
Overstretched UK forces will hinder operational capability, says report
On the cusp: Georgia country briefing
Training programs signal deepening US ties with West Africa
India's AAD-02 intercepts target missile during first trial
Russian industry hits high-tech low
Norway and Russia eye Arctic energy
Eyeing up the new Arctic - competition in the Arctic Circle
Japan broadens horizons
Japan requests development funds for Mobile Combat Vehicle
US Navy cancels LCS 4
Better by design? Navies focus on adaptable vessel concepts
PUBLIC SAFETY
New EU treaty worries US intel services
Security chiefs outline perimeter protection challenge
'Fusing' US terrorism information
Inside job: US seeks solutions for its security jigsaw puzzle
Landmines and armed non-state actors
Opinion: Let sleeping mines lie?
Policing Latin America
Infiltrating Colombia's intelligence agencies
Future generation: US alternative energy development
Parched land - Attempting to ease Australia's drought
Under Western eyes - Cocaine trafficking into the Iberian peninsula
European cocaine seizures on the increase
JTIC Briefing: Al-qaeda and the 9/11 anniversary
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Intelligence - Teutonic triumph
Technology moves modern battlefield into cyberspace
Gulf war - Pressure mounts on Mexico's Gulf Cartel
Fighting back - Mexico declares war on drug cartels
US plans to widen access to intelligence satellite data
Security agencies fall out in Russia
TRANSPORT
Beirut airport awaits post-war recovery
Domestic leasing signals take-off for Chinese carriers
Airlines refuse to cover A380-related infrastructure bill
Jane's Information Group has some of the best intelligence in the world at its fingertips. On matters ranging from military to security to weaponry and beyond, the staff at Jane's provides top-notch information to its subscribers and probably runs rings around our frequently inept CIA much of the time.
The site includes free excerpts of its material in many different categories. From time to time here at The FDH Lounge Blog, we will link directly to their outstanding material on many subjects and allow those of you who are very much concerned with geopolitics and the world around us to keep up on important matters.
SECURITY
Tribal turmoil - Kenyan election exposes ethnic fissures
Kenya: Teetering on the brink?
Kenya's urban battlefield
US terrorist watch list remains fundamentally troubled
Indian arms sales to Myanmar remain under scrutiny
Russian evolution
The $100 question - Security implications of rising oil prices
Can airlines live with $100 oil?
Farewell to arms
Power plays - Creation of the West African Gas Pipeline
Political fallout - The threat to Pakistan's nuclear stability
Bomb blast kills senior Lebanese army commander
US-led operation kills senior Taliban commander
Iraq insurgency unity collapses
Southeast Asia's tri-border black spot
JTIC briefing: LNG tanker terrorism
UN launches ISU to reduce WMD threat
US still hopes Musharraf-Bhutto deal can be saved
The Pakistan People's Party after Benazir Bhutto
DEFENSE
UK considers alternatives to Nimrod R.1 upgrade
UK RAF Nimrod inquiry says leaking fuel was likely cause
The Afghan National Army: nothing without NATO
Iran set to acquire S-300PTs from Belarus
Iran may have lined up S-300 SAM systems
Bush administration backs JDAM sales to Saudi Arabia
Russia tests cruise missile for Iskander TEL
Europe focuses on better co-ordinated maritime security
UGVs herald skip change in urban ops
UK moves on Challenger 2 upgrades
UK looks to arm expanded Reaper force
Australia's DSTO unveils weaponised robot
China marches forward
US budget request for increased defense spending masks squeeze on procurement and R&D
Mission fatigue - the future of military interventionism
Overstretched UK forces will hinder operational capability, says report
On the cusp: Georgia country briefing
Training programs signal deepening US ties with West Africa
India's AAD-02 intercepts target missile during first trial
Russian industry hits high-tech low
Norway and Russia eye Arctic energy
Eyeing up the new Arctic - competition in the Arctic Circle
Japan broadens horizons
Japan requests development funds for Mobile Combat Vehicle
US Navy cancels LCS 4
Better by design? Navies focus on adaptable vessel concepts
PUBLIC SAFETY
New EU treaty worries US intel services
Security chiefs outline perimeter protection challenge
'Fusing' US terrorism information
Inside job: US seeks solutions for its security jigsaw puzzle
Landmines and armed non-state actors
Opinion: Let sleeping mines lie?
Policing Latin America
Infiltrating Colombia's intelligence agencies
Future generation: US alternative energy development
Parched land - Attempting to ease Australia's drought
Under Western eyes - Cocaine trafficking into the Iberian peninsula
European cocaine seizures on the increase
JTIC Briefing: Al-qaeda and the 9/11 anniversary
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Intelligence - Teutonic triumph
Technology moves modern battlefield into cyberspace
Gulf war - Pressure mounts on Mexico's Gulf Cartel
Fighting back - Mexico declares war on drug cartels
US plans to widen access to intelligence satellite data
Security agencies fall out in Russia
TRANSPORT
Beirut airport awaits post-war recovery
Domestic leasing signals take-off for Chinese carriers
Airlines refuse to cover A380-related infrastructure bill
Friday, November 23, 2007
Putin the Czar tries to restart the Cold War
By Rick Morris
As Mad Vlad Putin goes through the motions of the farce called Russian “democracy,” he has demonstrated yet again that his move from president to prime minister will change nothing and he will continue to wield the real power. His latest campaign stunt shows the price the world will pay for the route he has chosen to hang on to power.
The denunciation he made of the West (read:
Putin’s emerging Hitler Youth equivalent has been chronicled here previously and is a vital part of his wicked plan. And the rhetoric about the conspiracies of other nations has been lapped up like vodka by the denizens of this arrogant nation.
If the America-baiting was simply serving as red meat to pacify the people and neutralize internal opposition to the Putin Cult of Personality, it would be bad enough. But Putin is also walking the walk in international affairs, forging agreements with the tyrants of
I will maintain again, though, that the unilateralism of the Bush administration played right into Putin’s hands. Clearly, Putin wanted to go down this path all along, but an American policy of trying to install military bases in former Soviet satellite countries did not help matters. When dealing with an insidious head of state who is acting as a de facto enemy, the
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Untold story: the KGB's frightening comeback
By Rick Morris
The Russian Bear has returned. In a supremely compelling cover story this week in The Economist, the comeback of the KGB in the form of its successor the FSB is illuminated in chilling detail. While we in the West have deluded ourselves over the past 15 years that the Cold War is dead and buried, it has slowly arisen again -- and with Russia playing footsie with China, Venezuela, Iran and a number of formidable anti-American players worldwide, we're staring down a new threat at a time when we can't afford to be diverted from pursuing the Global War on Terror. We certainly don't have a global alliance to deal with Russia and its axis similar to the anti-communist umbrella of the Cold War.
Although it is an excellent account of how Russia's turn away from the West has materialized, the Economist's story surprisingly does not contain any information about another key factor in this sad development: Nashi. This anti-American youth group has become a slavish tool of Russian President Putin as he re-institutes the domestic tyranny present throughout much of the country's history. Nashi is a frightening and powerful force in Russia, instilling hatred of the West. These articles are stark warnings of the successes they have enjoyed to date.
While I believe that Putin has plotted all along to take Russia down this path, I also see much that our government has done to play into his hands over the past decade. After we went into Afghanistan, our government had the bright idea to try to place military bases in former Soviet republics, ignoring the sense of paranoia it would stir up in Russia. The same can be said of our decision to expand NATO right up to Russia's doorstep -- that was a classic example of something in international affairs that was undeniably moral, but was anything but helpful to our national interest. In a presidential debate in 2000, George W. Bush pledged to instill a new humility in American global affairs. Had he followed though on his promise, Putin would not have had as easy a time in turning Russia into USSR 2K7.
The Russian Bear has returned. In a supremely compelling cover story this week in The Economist, the comeback of the KGB in the form of its successor the FSB is illuminated in chilling detail. While we in the West have deluded ourselves over the past 15 years that the Cold War is dead and buried, it has slowly arisen again -- and with Russia playing footsie with China, Venezuela, Iran and a number of formidable anti-American players worldwide, we're staring down a new threat at a time when we can't afford to be diverted from pursuing the Global War on Terror. We certainly don't have a global alliance to deal with Russia and its axis similar to the anti-communist umbrella of the Cold War.
Although it is an excellent account of how Russia's turn away from the West has materialized, the Economist's story surprisingly does not contain any information about another key factor in this sad development: Nashi. This anti-American youth group has become a slavish tool of Russian President Putin as he re-institutes the domestic tyranny present throughout much of the country's history. Nashi is a frightening and powerful force in Russia, instilling hatred of the West. These articles are stark warnings of the successes they have enjoyed to date.
While I believe that Putin has plotted all along to take Russia down this path, I also see much that our government has done to play into his hands over the past decade. After we went into Afghanistan, our government had the bright idea to try to place military bases in former Soviet republics, ignoring the sense of paranoia it would stir up in Russia. The same can be said of our decision to expand NATO right up to Russia's doorstep -- that was a classic example of something in international affairs that was undeniably moral, but was anything but helpful to our national interest. In a presidential debate in 2000, George W. Bush pledged to instill a new humility in American global affairs. Had he followed though on his promise, Putin would not have had as easy a time in turning Russia into USSR 2K7.
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