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CMSI Translations #25: A New Pillar for Distant Oceans: Concepts for the Chinese Navy\u27s New Generation of General-Purpose Destroyers
No full textA recent unconfirmed rumor about the Chinese Navy developing a new general-purpose guidedmissile destroyer has stirred debate online. Many commenters argue that the Type 055 already offers exceptional capability across air defense, missile defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and general warfare roles, and is more than capable of meeting current mission needs. But because it’s expensive to build, it is not practical to produce in large numbers or to use for routine tasks, so it will likely remain a smaller part of the fleet. In contrast, the more affordable Type 052D class is limited by its size and displacement, which restricts how much it can be upgraded. As a result, it still cannot match the endurance or sustained firepower of the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-translations/1032/thumbnail.jp
Space: The Final Frontier (For State Power): The History of the East India Company and the Future of Outer Space
Full text linkOuter space may be the last domain where States largely lack the capability to use coercive force as an instrument of State control. In all areas of the globe, major powers have militaries and police forces that far exceed the capability of even the largest corporations. As corporations take an increasingly large role in outer space commerce it is likely that these private actors will develop a capacity to use force that quickly surpasses even the most powerful States.
To date there has been little analysis of this future phenomenon by legal scholars. Perhaps as a result, the current international law framework governing outer space is notably deficient to address the issue. This article will analyze the experience of the British East India Company as a case study where overly permissive State regulation allowed the military capacity of a private company to exceed that of many States. This article will draw from the lessons of that case study to project likely developments in outer space and will make recommendations for action
Episode 16: America in the Arctic: Foreign Policy and Competition in the Melting North
No full textThe Arctic encompasses not only the territory of eight countries, but also vital geological features and strategic waterways that have made the region an area of ecological concern and geopolitical contestation.
To help navigate these waters, The Debrief talks with Dr. Mary Thompson-Jones, a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer and professor and chair of Women in Diplomacy and National Security, who is the author of America in the Arctic: Foreign Policy and Competition in the Melting North (Columbia University Press, 2025).https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/the-debrief/1015/thumbnail.jp
Assessing the Role of AI in Determining the Necessity and Proportionality of the Exercise of Self-Defense Against an Armed Attack
No full textThis article explores whether artificial intelligence (AI) constitutes an asset or rather a challenge in assessing the necessity and proportionality of a State’s response to an armed attack in the context of self-defense. Two central arguments are advanced. First, while AI may assist in detecting incoming threats of armed attacks, abstract and highly context-driven notions like necessity and proportionality would be very difficult to encode into algorithms. Second, even assuming that this were possible, relying on AI to determine the necessity and proportionality of a self-defense response would present as many challenges as it does advantages and, therefore, should be approached with caution
Re-Envisioning Nuclear Deterrence
Full text linkThis article examines whether the U.S. nuclear umbrella provided to allies is currently viable and whether it is time for the United States to share nuclear weapons technology with its allies in the Asia-Pacific to counter the growing nuclear threat posed by China, North Korea, and Russia. The article discusses the current capabilities and nuclear doctrine of States possessing nuclear weapons, as well as Iran’s nascent nuclear weapons program. It then discusses the current international law and regulatory regime applicable to nuclear weapons. It analyzes the threats posed by China’s and Russia’s nuclear capabilities, and how they affect U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy, as well as the proven inability of the United Nations Security Council to have any meaningful impact on curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Finally, it examines possible options the United States can take to enhance extended nuclear deterrence in the Asia-Pacific. Given that, for the first time in history, the United States will need to simultaneously deter two strategic peer, nuclear-capable adversaries, the United States will be incapable of providing extended nuclear deterrence to its Asia-Pacific allies unless it significantly increases its nuclear arsenal or shares nuclear weapons technology and material with Japan and South Korea so that they can develop their own indigenous programs
Episode 18: 25 Days to Aden; The Unknown Story of Arabian Elite Forces at War (a book series with Michael Knights)
No full textGuests Michael Knights and co-host Jane Stokes join Dave Brown to discuss the first book in a series detailing the outcome of a set of modern irregular warfare operations over control of Southern Yemen in 2015. The first book details the Yemeni Houthis’ attempts to take over the port of Aden in their coup against the UN-backed government of the country. The opposing force preventing this Iranian proxy from threating a second major strategic waterway and potentially impacting global trade through Suez, are the small but highly capable UAE special forces, honed alongside NATO and the US in the fires of Afghanistan. Join us for this fascinating look at capable foreign fighting forces in 25 Days to Aden, by Michael Knights.
Articles: 25 Days to Aden - The Unknown Story of Arabian Elite Forces at War, Washington Institute, January 2023
Guests:
Jane Stokes is associate professor in the Joint Military Operations Department, College of Distance Education, U.S. Naval War College. She is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, having served over 25 years in both active and reserve components. As a military officer she served as a Marine foreign advisor, attaché, and liaison officer in numerous embassies, and served as International Programs Branch Chief for the CENTCOM J2, working on Security Cooperation efforts and partner engagement with allies and partners. Previously she was the MARCENT Liaison Officer to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). An Arabic speaker, she also spent almost a decade working for Department of State\u27s Foreign Service, and has extensive experience in the Middle East region with a focus on counterterrorism and foreign policy. She holds a MA from American Military University in Strategic Intelligence, and a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Jane is the author of Hesitation Kills: A Female Marine Officer’s Combat Experience in Iraq, featured on the Marine Corps Commandant’s Professional Reading List, and she has appeared on numerous national media outlets.
Michael Knights, Ph.D. serves as the Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute, specializing in the military and security affairs of Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf states. He is the co-founder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. Michael has traveled widely in Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf states, and regularly briefs government policymakers, congressional committees, and the U.S. military on regional security affairs. He has worked extensively with local military and security agencies on the ground in Iraq, the Gulf states, and Yemen. He previously worked as the head of analysis for a range of security and oil companies, directing information-collection teams in Iraq, Libya, and Yemen, and before that, worked as a defense journalist for the Gulf States Newsletter as well as Jane\u27s Intelligence Review. Michael has written for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Journal for Strategic Studies, and CTC’s The Sentinel, as well as other policy news outlets. He holds a doctorate from the Department of War Studies, King\u27s College London.https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/the-trident/1017/thumbnail.jp
The 4th Annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference: International Law: Conflict at Sea
Full text linkHosted annually by the Stockton Center for International Law, the Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference brings together judge advocates, scholars, and practitioners from across the world to develop and shape international maritime law and governance. This year, we will focus on international law and conflict at sea, examining current operations and emerging issues to include disruptive technologies at sea, maritime law enforcement, Russia and regional maritime security, and maritime security challenges in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and greater Indo-Pacific. Event | The 4th Annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference: International Law: Conflict at Sea Program Flyerhttps://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cushing-conference/1002/thumbnail.jp
SG Radar in the Solomon Islands Campaign—Assumptions, Perceptions, Reality
No full textRadar made its appearance in Pacific night combat in August 1942, but initial attempts to use the new technology in surface actions proved disappointing, leading to the development of a standardized combat information center organization on warships to gather, synthesize, analyze, and report information to commanders in real time