Neither Here Nor There
Jordan and the Abraham Accords
United States Air Force
Pentagon Announces Contract for Israeli KC-46s but Has More Work To Do
The Pentagon announced on Wednesday an up to $927 million foreign military sale contract with Boeing to provide Israel four KC-46A air refueling aircraft, with the first currently expected to arrive in...
Insights
Turkey’s Latest Move to Undermine NATO
That it’s considering buying additional missile systems from Russia highlights continued challenges for the United States and its NATO allies.
Op-eds
Avoiding empty cockpits: Addressing the Air Force’s pilot shortage problem
Fielding the best aircraft in the world won’t matter if the Air Force can’t retain enough well-trained pilots to fly them, argue FDD’s Bradley Bowman and Maj. Brian Leitzke.
Op-eds
US must arm Ukraine now, before it’s too late
Excerpt Nearly 20 of our fellow experts and national security professionals — whose digital signatures appear at the end of this op-ed — agree: The war in Ukraine has reached a decisive moment and that...
Op-eds
Let the Air Force let go of the E-3 ‘Sentry’
The Air Force wants to retire almost half of its E-3 “Sentry” airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft to free up finite resources needed to expedite fielding of much-needed next-generation...
Op-eds
Israel has a KC-46 problem. Here’s the solution.
Eying growing and distinct threats that may require the United States and Israel to conduct long-range airstrikes, both militaries urgently need to replace their aging aerial refueling fleets with the modernized...
Op-eds
In Iniochos Exercise, Israel Rehearses Iran Strikes as Saudis Observe
The Greek-hosted Iniochos 2022 military exercise began this week, with Athens welcoming military contingents from the United States, Israel, Cyprus, France, Italy, and Slovenia. The exercise, which also...
Op-eds
Apply the Lessons From Ukraine in the Taiwan Strait
With the world’s attention fixed on the national security and humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion, a similar disaster is brewing in...
Op-eds
Putin is not crazy and the Russian invasion is not failing. The West’s delusions about this war – and its failure to understand the enemy – will prevent it from saving Ukraine
Wishful thinking has the upper hand in the battle to shape Western perceptions of the war in Ukraine. Sympathy for the outnumbered and outgunned defenders of Kyiv has led to the exaggeration of Russian...
Op-eds
Battle Force 2025
A Plan to Defend Taiwan Within the Decade
Memos
Elemental Strategy
Countering the Chinese Communist Party’s Efforts to Dominate the Rare Earth Industry
Memos
Houthis Renew Attack on Abu Dhabi With Ballistic Missiles
On Monday morning, Abu Dhabi came under ballistic missile attack by Yemen’s Houthis, according to a statement by the United Emirates Ministry of Defense. “The Ministry of Defense announced on Monday...
Op-eds
How Loitering Munitions Can Help Counter China
“Suicide drones” are already tapped to fill various roles, but more are needed, and faster.
Op-eds
Beijing Sprints While America Slumbers
What another continuing resolution means for our military preparedness.
Op-eds
Saudi Arabia and Israel Tiptoe Toward Overt Security Cooperation
Israeli and Saudi fighter jets participated in the same patrol mission (albeit at different times) on Oct. 30, accompanying a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber circumnavigating the Arabian Peninsula and...
Op-eds
If The Air Force Buys The E-7A Wedgetail, What’s Next?
As the service works to procure the required number of E-7As as quickly as possible, it should simultaneously implement a comprehensive plan to expedite the training of US Air Force pilots and air battle management crews.
Op-eds
Time To Wedge The E-7A Wedgetail Into The US Air Force Fleet
The success of American joint forces in a potential conflict with China or Russia will depend in part on whether the US Air Force can continue to provide warfighters with advanced airborne early warning...
Op-eds
Between E-3 And Eyes In Space, The Air Force Needs A Bridge, Now
Defeating adversaries in the future will require the U.S. military to detect and strike targets more quickly than its opponents can. The E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) plays a...
Op-eds
Goodbye To All That
Biden may usher in a new era in which we won’t really have an Iran policy at all.