Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Takes to the Sky
written by: Roger McDermott
Feb 04, 2010

On January 29, the prototype Russian fifth generation Prospective Aircraft Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK FA) "T-50" finally completed a successful 45 minute test flight in Komsomolsk-na-Amurye. The stealth multirole fighter was developed by OKB Sukhoi (experimental design bureau) to replace ...more

U.S. steps up arms sales to Persian Gulf allies
written by: Joby Warrick
Feb 03, 2010

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- The Obama administration is quietly working with Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf allies to speed up arms ...more

Ukraine's Election and the Russian Resurgence
written by: Peter Zeihan
Feb 02, 2010

Ukrainians go to the polls Feb. 7 to choose their next president. The last time they did this, in November 2004, the result was the prolonged international incident that became known as the Orange Revolution. That event saw Ukraine cleaved off from the Russian sphere of influence, triggering a chain ...more

Japan's Peacebuilding Policy toward Afghanistan: The Need for a Civilian Surge to Improve Security
written by: Yuji Uesugi
Feb 01, 2010

On 1^st December 2009, US President Barack Obama announced his new strategy toward Afghanistan. Overall, it was a reasonable strategy that reflected the US position in the struggle, with its situation analysis and objectives based on an earlier version announced in February 2009. Obama ...more

In State of the Union, Obama takes on partisan dysfunction of Washington
written by: Scott Wilson
Jan 28, 2010

President Obama used his first State of the Union address to reset his relationship with the American middle class. But it was the politics of Washington, rather than any specific policy, that the president spoke about with the most passion after a year when the change he pledged proved elusive.

The Point of No Return: Clearly the Obama Administration Won't Ever Do Anything Serious Against Iran's Nuclear Program
written by: Barry Rubin
Jan 29, 2010

We must now face an extremely unpleasant truth: Even giving the Obama administration every possible break regarding its Iran policy, it is now clear that the U.S. government isn't going to take strong action on the nuclear weapons issue.

Note that I didn't even say "effective" action, ...more

Power, Purpose, and Principle: The Triangle of Transatlantic Relations
written by: Jackson Janes
Jan 28, 2010

Introduction

Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the impact of that historic turning point continues to reshape the world and our thinking about it. We have been struggling to understand the transformation of power and influence in a global framework in which ...more

FSB Contemplates Procuring Israeli UAV's
Jan 27, 2010

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has reportedly opened negotiations to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) in Israel for use within the FSB border guard service. On January 13, Kommersant claimed that the FSB had entered discussions with the Israeli defense company Aeronautics Defense ...more

U.S. Envoy’s Cables Show Concerns on Afghan War Plans
written by: Eric Schmitt
Jan 26, 2010

WASHINGTON - The United States ambassador in Kabul warned his superiors here in November that President Hamid Karzai ...more

The Resistance Strategy: The Middle East's Response to Calls for Peace and Moderation
written by: Barry Rubin
Jan 26, 2010

Have you heard from any of the Western mass media about the Resistance strategy of Middle East radicals? I'm sure you haven't. Yet without understanding this powerful and widely accepted worldview how could anyone possibly comprehend events in the region?

"Resistance" is the slogan used ...more