News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Originally published in 1949-1950, this three-part series on Admiral Charles Napier and his controversial command in the Baltic in 1854 during the Crimean War is here compiled as a complete text. Reproduced from the NR’s archives [37/4, p. 381; 38/1, p. 65; 38/2, p. 125]. A 60 minute read.

Ed. In the tradition of Herman Kahn, and with the Strategic Defence Review in mind, the author ‘thinks the unthinkable’ on the subject of Russian expansionism, US retrenchment, and the future of NATO. Originally published in The Article. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Originally published in 1958, the author provided an instructive narration of Allied amphibious operations against Finnish and Russian coastal fortifications in the Baltic during the years 1854-5 of the Crimean War. Reproduced from the NR’s archives [46/2, p. 136]. A 30 minute read.

Ed. The author provides a primer on Norwegian fleet expansion during a period of immense geopolitical change in Europe. A 30 minute read.

Ed. Many leading Arctic nations are engaging programmes to build more icebreakers or to otherwise modernise or refit their icebreaking capability. China is an emerging polar nation with icebreakers and an overall presence in the Arctic only set to increase – and perhaps to overtake existing Russian Arctic dominance. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The author examines the impact of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ on Britain’s role as an arbiter of a maritime law, and suggests compelling alternatives for confronting it. A 30 minute read.

Ed. The second article in the NR’s series featuring BRNC Pellew Division officer cadets. The author here examines the assets Finland and Sweden bring to NATO in the Arctic and Baltic, together representing a significant increase in the Alliance’s regional capability. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author examines the importance of cultivating clear strategy and deploying balanced fleets in the Baltic operations of the Crimean War and Russian Civil War. In both cases the Royal Navy was engaged blockading enemy ports and striking at their harbours, frequently without direct orders from London, and with profound consequences for the national consciousness of the region. The parallels for today’s littoral operations in the Baltic and Black Sea are obvious. A 40 minute read.

Ed. The author considers the maritime implications for Russia’s naval forces in the Baltic and Black Sea, theatres where geopolitical developments or naval losses have significantly weakened the Russian Navy’s sea control capabilities. A 10 minute read.