Guest Editorials

February 15, 2010

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), with roots in preventing the proliferation of international weapons, has morphed over the decades into what appears to be a policy to keep America first to the rest of the world. Today, American manufacturers see it as an obstacle to their business and our international partners see it as an intrusion into their sovereignty. Is it time for a dramatic overhaul?

February 8, 2010

The reform of the French armed forces, which is now taking place is at least as thorough as the professionalization reform initiated in 1996. This reform is twofold as it results from the convergence of two distinct reviews: on the one hand it stems from the White Paper on defense and security and on the other hand from the General Review of Public Policies (known as “RGPP” in French).

February 5, 2010

At the heart of logistics and sustainment are readiness issues. “If the military and its equipment are not ready to fight, its ability to influence events is significantly reduced. And the ability to count on availability of weapons systems is a significant aspect shaping concepts of operations worldwide”, he explains.

January 25, 2010

There is a debate simmering “under the radar” between different camps, mostly within the U.S. Army, concerning which is best suited to meet the demands of combat operations in Afghanistan: tracked or wheeled combat vehicles.(…) The debate between Strykers and HBCT vehicles tends to cloud the more relevant and important factors that should determine what formations are best suited to enable combat operations within Afghanistan.