News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Contrary to doom and gloom predictions of NATO decline under a potential second Trump Presidency, Rob Fry argues that, with US strategic imperatives invariably prioritizing the Pacific theatre, it is high time European leaders demonstrate resolve. Originally published in The Article. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author questions the necessity of Continuous At Sea Deterrence (CASD), considering the strain this has placed on boats and crew members.

Ed. Gazing at his crystal ball (history is prophecy in reverse!), the author ponders contemporary failures to learn the lessons of history.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book, published in 2017, telling the story of the Royal Navy’s last Gunroom, which also supported Operation GRAPPLE.

Ed. The author revisits the status of the Ukraine War, a year after his initial analysis [111/2, p. 18]. The failure of either side to deliver a knockout blow, and the systemic nature of new military technology, has reduced the conflict to grinding attrition with few prospects for definitive victory. A 25 minute read.

Ed. Persistent personnel and procurement challenges leads the author to question the viability of Continuous At Sea Deterrence and raise concern over the future of the SSN-AUKUS program.

Ed. In 2012 [100/2, p. 154] the author considered the history of the Japanese attack on Darwin of 19 February 1942 as a comparison for possible Chinese air operations in the 21^st century. As was the case with Pearl Harbor, a surprise attack by long-range air assets raised questions about the security of bases in the region. A 20 minute read.

Ed. Jeremy Blackham raises the alarm concerning the future costs of nuclear weapons modernization, which will have to be managed alongside a vast array of conventional forces recapitalization.

Ed. The author responds to Sir Jeremy Blackham’s recent article concerning the future of Britain’s nuclear and conventional deterrence.