HARDWARE, WEAPONRY & TECHNOLOGY
Afghanistan
Beijing’s “Unavoidable” War: The 21st Century’s Total War Has Begun
The new form of “total war” which Beijing has begun is more comprehensive and amorphous than any strategic engagement seen thus far in history. And Beijing has learned from history: direct military engagement is, of necessity, a very secondary component. This is a war which Pres.
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES | Turkey Attempts Stand-Alone Power Status, But…
Erdogan is rapidly running out of options, and allies. His only firm ally is Qatar; his relationships with Russia, Iran, and China are hedged with mutual distrust and caution. Indeed, the question should increasingly be asked: Does Erdogan actually have a power base absent MIT?
PERSONNEL
Key Transitions and Defense and Intelligence Appointments - 03/2020
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
EN CLAIR | Iran May Have Reached a Strategic Plateau with Soleimani’s Death
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
ESSENTIAL READING | Creating and Saving
GOVERNANCE & ELECTIONS
What Happens in the Vacuum After the Passing of Sultan Qaboos of Oman?
Oman will remain a pillar of stability because of Qaboos’ legacy, but he will be profoundly missed.
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
State of the World: Parlous, Transforming, Yet in Some Ways Stabilizing, Optimistic
The optimism may be hard to find, but the fact that crisis is now clearly upon us gives a certain clarity.
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
Turkey on the Prowl Again
Turkey’s revised policy for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East is based on expanding its illegal occupation of Cyprus to dominate the entire island and the region. It is upgrading capabilities accordingly.
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
Iran Between Temptation and Desperation
A significant impact is likely on world energy markets over 2020 along with escalation of attacks by Iranian-backed units against US and other targets following the killing of Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani.
DIPLOMACY, ALLIANCES & TREATIES
STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES | Why Britain’s Brexit Election Was a Pivotal Global Issue
Britain, post-Brexit, can become the cornerstone of a new, global NATO, even as the UK-EU trade relationship is being settled. In the meantime, US and Commonwealth links can substantially bolster NATO’s probable Indo-Pacific mission, while also contributing to a revived UK trading pattern.
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
Nuclear Powers in the Act of Colliding
Iran now considers war against Israel to be feasible and winnable…and Israel responds