- The latest Pentagon budget is a mixed bag when it comes to investment in innovation. Paul Scharre evaluates the paths not taken.
- Robert Farley expresses scepticism regarding the strategic and financial merits of the US Air Force's next-generation bomber.
- Meet the US Navy's new cruiser…the same as the old cruiser. What the future holds for the Ticonderoga class.
- Over at ASPI, Rod Lyon parses the White House's rhetoric on strategic rebalancing from the reality in the latest Quadrennial Defence Review.
- The Ukrainian crisis is shaking up defence policy in Europe: Sweden is reversing defence cuts, and talking openly about re-examining the possibility of NATO membership.
- Additionally, the White House has made the unexpected move of prompting Lockheed Martin to offer the once defunct Medium Extended Air Defense System to Poland, giving European air defence cooperation a shot in the arm.
- US-led multinational military exercises are still planned to occur in western Ukraine in July.
- The Pentagon is the world's largest single consumer of oil. Could space-based solar power transform its energy footprint?
- Another bold call: Noah Smith contends that the proliferation of unmanned weapons systems will bring about societal changes as momentous as the end of feudalism.
- The week has seen further Russian military buildup along Ukraine's borders, including units of the air mobile VDV. Historically, the VDV formed the spearhead of Soviet and Russian military interventions from Hungary to Chechnya. Domestically, they have a rockstar-like following, including their own holiday, and this rather garish (and catchy) pop video:
Military & strategy links: Ukraine, solar, navy cruisers, the pivot, next-gen bombers and more
Published 18 Mar 2014