Defense Policy and Armed Forces
As military competition increases, nations are adapting their defense policies and transforming their armed forces. Doctrine, organization, equipment and training are key to understanding the evolution of land, air and naval forces.
Related Subjects
La Sentinelle égarée ? L’armée de Terre face au terrorisme
The 2015 terror attacks in France and the ensuing activation by the Ministry of Defense of its homeland protection plan opened a new phase in the long history of the French Army’s involvement in internal security.
In France, are soldiers outside the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre really worth it?
Sentinel represents a watershed development in French military operations. For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the number of French army soldiers actively deployed in metropolitan France roughly equals that of overseas operations. But the military establishment here is far from unified on the value of an operation often seen as a costly and superficial means of reassuring civilians and tourists at the expense of substantive improvement to national security.
NATO wrestles with internal divisions ahead of Warsaw summit
The alliance is struggling to assemble four battalions to safeguard its eastern flank from a possible Russian attack. In addition, many member states are falling short of their financial commitments to the alliance.
Retours sur Sangaris. Entre stabilisation et protection des civils
In December 2013, France launched its operation Sangaris in the Central African Republic. What conclusions can be drawn for the stabilization of the country and the protection of civilians?
La sécurité énergétique des armées françaises. Le soutien pétrolier à l’heure de la transition
Ever since its inception on the eve of World War One, the concept of securing fuel supply has consistently proven its vitality to military operations.
Cooperation Despite Frictions in Northeast Asia
Cooperation Despite Frictions in Northeast Asia
Despite the political tensions that oppose Japan, China and South Korea, recent months have seen a certain rapprochement between Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. The first trilateral summit in three years was held in November 2015.
Cooperation Despite Frictions in Northeast Asia
The ASEAN Community: The Reality of a Vision
On December 31, 2015, ASEAN launched its long-anticipated Community with relatively little fanfare. This low-profile attitude surprised many observers: announced as a milestone and the signal of the member-states determination to bring regional cooperation “to a higher plane,” the launch was indeed modest, even imperceptible.
War’s Indirection or the Return of the Limited War
Over the last few years both the United States and Russia seem to have changed their conception of how to deploy force.
The “One Belt, One Road” – Strategic Implications of a Chinese Infrastructure Network in Eurasia
China’s “One Belt, One Road” project, also known as the “New Silk Road”, aims to create a vast infrastructure network connecting three continents, with China playing the central role.
Deploying the Bundeswehr: more transparency, more flexibility, but Parliament’s consent remains key - The Rühe Commission’s final report
Besides the often invoked historical dimension behind Germany’s strategic culture of restraint, there are today very tangible legal reasons that prevent assertive German military interventionism (which are, of course, directly linked to the historical dimension): any intervention of the German armed forces requires the Bundestag’s consent.
From Russia’s Grand Strategy to Limited War
To implement the “grand strategy”, Moscow’s strongest card is the energy weapon. However, the fall in oil prices and the conflict in Ukraine have brought things sharply into perspective. The traditional military dimension of the army is currently resigned to waging “limited wars” in localized areas.
(Dis)integrating Asia? - Interview with Wook Chae
Wook Chae is a professor at the Graduate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies of Kyung Hee University and the former President (2008-2013) of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP).
(Dis)integrating Asia? - Interview with Euan Graham
Euan Graham, Senior Fellow in the Maritime Security Programme at Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), explained Australia's position vis-à-vis regional economic integration in Asia.
How Asia is transforming geopolitical situation and it is most affecting Taiwan today? Interview with Francis Yi-hua Kan
Francis Yi-hua Kan is an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University.
What is China's vision in shaping cooperative frameworks? Interview with Richard W.X. Hu
Richard W.X. Hu, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Hong Kong, analyzed China's role in the regional economic integration process.
- What is China’s vision in shaping cooperative frameworks?
- What is China’s rationale behind setting up the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank?
- What is your prognosis for the future of a China-Japan-Korea cooperative framework?
Click here to read the program of the conference.
(Dis)integrating Asia? - Interview with Yukiko Fukagawa
Yukiko Fukagawa, Professor at the Graduate School of Economics, Waseda University, explained Japan's role in the regional integration process.
(Dis)integrating Asia? - Interview with GVC Naidu
GVC Naidu is a Professor of International Relations at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
(Dis)integrating Asia? Interview with Toshiro Iijima
Toshiro Iijima, Deputy Director-General of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), expressed his views on the following questions:
- How is the geopolitical transformation of Asie most affecting Japan?
- What is Japan's vision on shaping regional frameworks?
- Which regional entities should be the primary drivers in shaping regional frameworks?
Click here to read the program of the conference.
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