Tag Archives: ISIL

Senate Panel Explores Speed of U.S. Military Technology, Weapons Development

Senate Panel Explores Speed of U.S. Military Technology, Weapons Development

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

The staggering rate of change and the unacceptable time it takes the Pentagon to introduce weapon systems is leading to “a steady erosion of U.S. technological superiority” over peer competitors and non-state actors such as the Islamic State. Those were consensus views at a Tuesday hearing on the future of warfare before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Read More

SECDEF Carter: U.S. Shifting Emphasis Away from Training Anti-ISIS Syrian Fighters to Finding Leaders on the Ground

SECDEF Carter: U.S. Shifting Emphasis Away from Training Anti-ISIS Syrian Fighters to Finding Leaders on the Ground

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter testifes before the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. military strategy in the Middle East Oct. 27, 2015. DoD Photo

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter testifes before the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. military strategy in the Middle East Oct. 27, 2015. DoD Photo

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee the United States has shifted its emphasis from training forces outside of Syria to return to fight Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) to one of identifying “capable and motivated” leaders inside the country who put defeating the extremists ahead of removing Bashar al-Assad from power in Damascus. Read More

Opinion: Russia’s Desert Storm Moment in Syria

Opinion: Russia’s Desert Storm Moment in Syria

Russian fighters over Syria. Sputnik Photo

Russian fighters over Syria. Sputnik Photo

Russia is having its Desert Storm moment in Syria. The near-daily release of Russian fighter cockpit videos and missiles being launched from Russian ships in the Caspian Sea is making millions of Russians feel proud and strong. For instance, on Oct. 21, Russian media reported that 53 strike sorties struck 72 “terrorist targets.” Oddly those same reports are even convincing some in the United States that Russia is somehow more effective in Syria than the United States and its allies. Read More

Opinion: Finding Common Interests with the Russians in Syria

Opinion: Finding Common Interests with the Russians in Syria

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The increased presence of Russian forces in Syria has added another layer of complexity to an already confusing array of warring factions—a good estimate is that 18 to 20 factions now are fighting for one cause or another in Syria. The Russians assuming an active role in the Syrian battle space took the United States by surprise. For many American political, military, and media voices it is evident that Russia’s recent actions stuck a nerve. Read More

Panel: Iran Pursuing Goal of Global Activism

Panel: Iran Pursuing Goal of Global Activism

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While the U.S. government speaks with a unitary voice on policy matters, Iran offers different messages for four distinct audiences—the West, the Islamic world at large, the Shi’ite minority in Islam and to countries in West Africa and Latin America—the author of a new book on Iran’s ambitions said Friday. Read More