STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
The Path to Strategic Hell is Paved with Unguarded Rhetoric
There is little logic — and much gambling — at play in all the conflicts now emerging.
HARDWARE, WEAPONRY & TECHNOLOGY
Military Aircraft Manufacturing Proliferation Creates a New Age of Alliance
Remaking the military aerospace market is very much a part of remaking the global strategic architecture. What is happening now takes us back to mid-20th Century frameworks and, increasingly, to a revived multi-polar world.
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
Xi Lashes Out in the Pacific and Africa, But to What End?
The jury remains out as to whether Beijing has a clearly thought-through agenda with the Pacific Islands Forum, meeting this week, or even in Africa, or whether it is just lashing out to show that it still matters. But, rest assured, it is lashing out.
CULTURE, PSYCHOLOGY & MEDIA
Strategic Messaging: The Frequent Point of Failure
Has the US’ patchy record in strategic messaging robbed it of the consistent strategic progress it could have had, and denied it the support of various societies around the world? This may be coming to a head in 2026. But first, how do we define “strategic messaging” in the 21st Century?
CULTURE, PSYCHOLOGY & MEDIA
The Next Strategic Advantage: the Restoration of Literacy
Perhaps the “experiment” in universal, forced literacy, has been a failure, an historical blip. Literacy is in retreat because of technology and because inquiring minds challenge leadership patterns. Yet intellectual capacity— signified by literacy— determines strategic success. What is to be done?
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
ESSENTIAL READING | Japan’s View of its Current Threat Position
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES | Beijing’s Rear-Guard Action to Shore Up Strategic Influence in Eswatini
Beijing, having failed to change the Government of Eswatini, has begun operations to dominate the country’s commercial and political sectors. However, its decline in influence through Africa and the rest of the world is now becoming significant as its signature Belt and Road Initiative falls apart.
DIPLOMACY, ALLIANCES & TREATIES
EN CLAIR | The Return of Taiwan: How Beijing’s Collapsing Influence Opens the Door for Taipei
Taiwan could be poised to benefit from the declining fortunes of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to conceivably begin expanding once again the number of nations with which it has diplomatic relations.
PERSONNEL
Key Transitions and Defense and Intelligence Appointments - 12/2025
HISTORY
ESSENTIAL READING | Looking at the Classic Autocracies ...
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
ESSENTIAL READING | When Is a Blockade a “Quarantine”?
PERSONNEL