Sweden & NATO
Good to see a live exercise on network enabled operations, and also to see the civilian element being integrated. This type of capability will definitely be useful for countries hosting major events like the Olympics, UN conferences, visits by dignitaries, etc.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Monday, 22 September 2008
French soldiers unprepared for Taliban ambush: report
globeandmail.com
The above Canadian paper seems to have obtained a leaked NATO report into the recent Taliban ambush which left 10 French soldiers dead. France 24 is also on to this story.
The above Canadian paper seems to have obtained a leaked NATO report into the recent Taliban ambush which left 10 French soldiers dead. France 24 is also on to this story.
Saturday, 20 September 2008
The Cold War in Southeast Asia
The History Channel
The Asia Research Institute, History Channel, National Library Board, and National University of Singapore are organising a series of seminars on the history of the Cold War in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia was the one of the regions where the Cold War was not cold. The Vietnam war was the clearest example of the clash of the superpowers.
With the recent Georgia-Russia conflict still fresh in our minds, this series may not just be a review of history, but a guide for the present...
The Asia Research Institute, History Channel, National Library Board, and National University of Singapore are organising a series of seminars on the history of the Cold War in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia was the one of the regions where the Cold War was not cold. The Vietnam war was the clearest example of the clash of the superpowers.
With the recent Georgia-Russia conflict still fresh in our minds, this series may not just be a review of history, but a guide for the present...
Friday, 19 September 2008
MANPADS a force multiplier?
Missile Watch #2: Somalia » FAS Strategic Security Blog
A blog post from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) detailing the proliferation of Manportable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS).
With the increasing presence of IEDs on ground convoys, commanders would naturally be keen to increase usage of airlift. The introduction of MANPADS would counter that move...
A blog post from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) detailing the proliferation of Manportable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS).
With the increasing presence of IEDs on ground convoys, commanders would naturally be keen to increase usage of airlift. The introduction of MANPADS would counter that move...
How the Taleban gets its arms
The BBC has conducted what seems to be comprehensive coverage on the arms procurement process of the Taleban. First, a newstory, podcast (mp3), and the Assignment frontpage. More can be found on the Newsnight page.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
After Iraq and Afghanistan - Where Next for Expeditionary Warfare?
Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI)
Military planners face the conundrum of using lessons from the last war to prepare for the next war, although the next war may very likely be totally different. A compromise is usually made, and one never really knows if the right choices were made, until perhaps it is sometimes too late.
Click on the above link to listen to a lecture organised by RUSI on these issues.
Military planners face the conundrum of using lessons from the last war to prepare for the next war, although the next war may very likely be totally different. A compromise is usually made, and one never really knows if the right choices were made, until perhaps it is sometimes too late.
Click on the above link to listen to a lecture organised by RUSI on these issues.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
2008 Senior Workshop on International Rules Governing Military Operations (SWIRMO)
ICRC
It is perhaps easy to assume that many armed forces are reluctant to embrace International Humanitarian Law (IHL), not because soldiers are inhumane, but possibly because they suspect that adhering to IHL will affect the effectiveness of their military operations.
After reviewing the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) teaching file, opswarfare is assured that military operations would not be hampered by following LOAC. Key to achieving this is the integration of IHL into military doctrine and operations, so that the application of IHL is seamless and user-friendly.
Thus, it is encouraging to see the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) organising a workshop to facilitate this integration process.
It is perhaps easy to assume that many armed forces are reluctant to embrace International Humanitarian Law (IHL), not because soldiers are inhumane, but possibly because they suspect that adhering to IHL will affect the effectiveness of their military operations.
After reviewing the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) teaching file, opswarfare is assured that military operations would not be hampered by following LOAC. Key to achieving this is the integration of IHL into military doctrine and operations, so that the application of IHL is seamless and user-friendly.
Thus, it is encouraging to see the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) organising a workshop to facilitate this integration process.
Friday, 5 September 2008
ORG-SIIA Regional Sustainable Security Consultation (Asia and Australasia)
Singapore Institute of International Affairs
opswarfare just spotted this upcoming forum, with a slightly new phrase - Sustainable Security. opswarfare will be attending the half-day public conference on 12th September 2008.
opswarfare just spotted this upcoming forum, with a slightly new phrase - Sustainable Security. opswarfare will be attending the half-day public conference on 12th September 2008.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Is self-determination the key factor for future conflicts?
The recent war in Georgia has generated a lot of interest in military circles, and opswarfare has been keenly following the events. A post is in the works, but in the meantime, a broader question is being asked.
Will future conflicts be heavily influenced by issues of self-determination? opswarfare has started looking into the legal aspects of self-determination, and beyond decolonisation (which is generally accepted), the issue is fraught with virtual minefields.
Something to ponder while Russian troops continue to linger in Georgia after the ceasefire agreement...
Will future conflicts be heavily influenced by issues of self-determination? opswarfare has started looking into the legal aspects of self-determination, and beyond decolonisation (which is generally accepted), the issue is fraught with virtual minefields.
Something to ponder while Russian troops continue to linger in Georgia after the ceasefire agreement...
Monday, 18 August 2008
Poor training, confusion and friendly fire, the real story behind brave Apache rescue
The Guardian
Friendly fire is the bane of military operations. In the chaos of a battle, errors can occur easily. opswarfare feels that only combat experience (and perhaps proper training) can mitigate the risks. The Board of Inquiry report can be found here. opswarfare will summarise the report's findings and provide a short commentary soon.
Friendly fire is the bane of military operations. In the chaos of a battle, errors can occur easily. opswarfare feels that only combat experience (and perhaps proper training) can mitigate the risks. The Board of Inquiry report can be found here. opswarfare will summarise the report's findings and provide a short commentary soon.
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