Israeli Air Force’s Finest Hour: 40 Years Since the F-16 Strike on Iraq’s Nuclear Reactor
June 7, 2021, marked the 40th anniversary of Operation Opera, the Israeli Air Force’s daring strike on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, just 17 kilometers from Baghdad. This marked the first-ever preventive attack on a suspected nuclear weapons program, setting a…
North Korea’s ‘Guam Killer’: The Hwasong-12 Ballistic Missile and Its Strategic Implications
The Hwasong-12 ballistic missile, often overshadowed by its intercontinental-range counterparts, stands as a pivotal element in North Korea’s arsenal. Dubbed the “Guam Killer,” this missile is a key component of Pyongyang’s strategy for conventional and nuclear retaliation in the event…
Why Space Force Needs Its Own War College—and Why It Should Be Different
The United States has been active in space since 1958. So, why does the Space Force need its own war college now? And can’t the Air Force just educate Space Force officers since they’re still connected? The answers are clear:…
Toward a More Nuanced View of Airpower and Operation Desert Storm
As we approach the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, discussions about airpower’s central role in the swift coalition victory are sure to be prominent. And rightfully so—airpower, particularly that of the U.S. Air Force, played a significant role in…
The Timeless Relevance of Heart of Darkness for Today’s Military Leaders
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is a compelling and unsettling exploration of colonialism, human nature, and the devastating effects of unchecked power. Though its portrayal of Africans and its colonial themes have sparked controversy, particularly in light of recent racial…
Russia’s Cephalopod Underwater Drone: A New Weapon to Target America’s Nuclear Submarines
While the Russian Navy’s surface fleet continues to rely on legacy Soviet-era warships, such as the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, Kirov and Slava Class cruisers, and Sovremenny and Udaloy Class destroyers, the service has shifted a significant focus towards modernizing its…
India to Strengthen Defenses: Russia Accelerates S-400 Deliveries Following Ladakh Clashes
In response to escalating tensions with China and the deadly clashes in Galwan Valley, India has secured an expedited delivery of the first battalion of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems from Russia. This decision comes after a high-level defense delegation…
Project Thor: America’s Space-Based Superweapon and Its Potential Impact
The U.S. Air Force is advancing a groundbreaking project, reportedly named “Project Thor,” which aims to revolutionize space warfare with an innovative weapon system. In line with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty that forbids the deployment of nuclear, biological, and…
The Economic Mobilization of the Korean War: A Model for Pandemic Response
Six months into the Korean War, Life magazine ran an article titled “What Mobilization?” In it, the publication criticized the United States’ industrial preparedness, highlighting the lack of essential military equipment, like tanks, which wouldn’t be ready until the following…
Why the Russian Navy is Retiring Two of Its Most Powerful Surface Combat Ships
The Russian Navy is facing a critical decision regarding two of its most formidable surface combatants—the Kirov Class battlecruisers. These behemoths, weighing in at 28,000 tons each, represent the largest class of surface combat ships in the world. Equipped with…
Supporting Joint Warfighting with Mission-Level Simulations
In today’s era of rapidly advancing military technology, the United States faces unprecedented challenges. American military supremacy, long assured, is now in jeopardy due to credible threats from peer nations like China and Russia. To counter these emerging threats and…
How Can Negotiations Bring Wars to an End?
The peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban raises critical questions, chief among them: why did it take so long? Both sides knew a decisive victory was unattainable, and the framework for a negotiated settlement had been visible…