Mark Esper

What could a Trump-Vance China policy look like?

Vance’s focus on China is not surprising. In his personal and professional life he’s seen the way People’s Republic of China actions have affected the lives of Americans.

U.S. Lawfare Options for Helping Bring Hamas to its Knees

Pressuring Qatar and Turkey to Quickly Detain Hamas Leaders

Arsenal

Assessing the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program

Iran Targets Salman Rushdie

An admirer of the regime in Iran attacked the author Salman Rushdie on August 12, stabbing him roughly 10 times minutes before his scheduled lecture in Chautauqua, New York. Rushdie faces a long “road to recovery,” stated his agent. He may even lose an eye. European and Middle Eastern intelligence officials said the assailant, 24-year-old Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, had contacts with members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A U.S. law enforcement official said Matar’s posts on social media show his sympathies to Shia extremism and IRGC causes.

Battle Force 2025

A Plan to Defend Taiwan Within the Decade

Defusing Military-Civil Fusion

The Need to Identify and Respond to Chinese Military Companies

Defense

Arms Control and Nonproliferation

Preserving America’s Military Posture in Germany

America’s Small but Effective Presence in Syria

Avoiding a Self-Inflicted Wound in the Sinai

The Jihadist Threat Persists

Rushed Afghanistan Drawdown Likely to Benefit Al-Qaeda

Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced last week an order to reduce U.S. troops in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500, to be completed by January 15, 2021. Justified as a move to end “perpetual...

The Emerging Sino-Russian Alliance

How the 'great powers' are reconfiguring their partnerships for a new era. Plus, why it matters that al-Qaeda’s media chief was killed in Taliban country.

Yes, Virginia, the Trump Administration Does Have a China Strategy

The administration is pursuing a whole-of-government approach to counter China’s concept of Comprehensive National Power.

Is Esper’s New Plan For The Navy Enough For The Indo-Pacific?

Recent wargames suggest the U.S. Navy would have a hard time fighting China, but this might be nothing compared to infighting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and his successors will have to manage to build...

Washington Should Avoid a Self-Inflicted Wound in the Sinai

Withdrawing from the Multinational Force and Observers might be penny-wise, but would certainly be pound-foolish.

Worth Preserving: US Military Posture in Germany

Any adjustments to U.S. force posture in Europe should focus first and foremost on sustaining or strengthening readiness.

Plan to Reposition U.S. Forces in Europe Needs More Work

The House Armed Service Committee (HASC) expressed concern last week about the Department of Defense (DoD) plan to reposition U.S. forces based in Europe. In its present form, the plan lacks sufficient...

Why skepticism, not China, may be the greatest threat to US Pacific strategy

Washington finds itself playing diplomatic catch-up as Beijing continues to deepen its influence across the Pacific. Case in point: Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s late August trip to Palau was clearly...