The Strategic Support Force’s future trajectory will be a critical bellwether of the PLA’s progress toward becoming a “world-class” military. The PLA Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) has been a puzzle and apparent paradox over the first three years of…
Asia, China, Military
Japan’s Defense Budget Swells to Counter China’s Growing Military Threat
The Abe administration has given its national defense policy a new makeover sparking controversy over efforts to rush militarization. Japan’s cabinet ministers approved new long-term national defense guidelines that includes the largest ever defense budget for the next fiscal year.…
Economy
A National Security Perspective on Vertical Farming: Reducing Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Since the very earliest wars, battlefield commanders have known that a successful strategy is to use food as a weapon. Vertical farming is a bold approach that will become a critical national asset — and will require protection. Vertical farming…
Asia
Who’s Driving the Wedge Into US-South Korea Relations?
Don’t blame Pyongyang: the United States and South Korea are weakening their alliance on their own. There has been concern for months about a rift the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance. As the diplomatic torrent of 2018 involving both Koreas…
Middle East, Russia
Russian PMCs in Yemen: Kremlin-Style ‘Security Export’ in Action?
On September 6, Russian military correspondent Semen Pegov posted information on his Telegram-channel WarGonzo (WG) about “members of one Russian Private Military Company [PMC] being currently deployed in Yemen.” He ascribed this information to data received from “three anonymous sources…
China
Vostok 2018: Russia and China’s Diverging Common Interests
Russia’s Vostok 2018 exercise officially commenced on September 11 and concludes September 17. One of Russia’s major military maneuvers held every four years, this year’s Vostok is of special significance because Russia has not held an exercise of this scale…