Inflatables have been used in war for centuries

One of the more surreal sights of the recent Afghan war was tethered balloons (also known as “aerostats”) looming over the bases of international forces. These “persistent threat detection systems” carried a suite of 360-degree cameras providing a constant view – out to 100 miles – of surrounding areas to the US “force-protection” teams within […]Continue Reading

Did China’s balloon violate international law?

Was the balloon that suddenly appeared over the US last week undertaking surveillance? Or was it engaging in research, as China has claimed? While the answers to these questions may not be immediately known, one thing is clear: the incursion of the Chinese balloon tested the bounds of international law. This incident also has added […]Continue Reading

Taking the air out of China’s spy balloon hubbub

The US military shot down what US officials called a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4, 2023. Officials said that the US Navy planned to recover the debris, which is in shallow water. The US and Canada tracked the balloon as it crossed the Aleutian Islands, passed over Western […]Continue Reading

China less hesitant to fill Afghan power vacuum

China is one of the few countries which are committed to expanding negotiations with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Beijing hopes to expand its use of vast natural resources while also improving its very own geopolitical security. In mid-2021 China made welcome a Taliban delegation, showing its willingness to recognize the Taliban government as the US signaled […]#@@#@!!Continue Reading

Ukraine pushing hard for fast-track EU membership

There are conflicting expectations ahead of a summit between EU leaders and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Kiev has made it clear that it wants to join the fast track for EU membership in two years. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said as much in an interview on January 30. But getting Brussels to commit […]Continue Reading

F-16s could put Ukraine back on the offensive

The war in Ukraine approaches its first anniversary – and, much like the conflict on the ground, the air war has become a protracted contest for control. For Ukraine, fighting on the defensive, it has been wise to play for time and wait for any opportunities that may arise from increased Western support that it […]Continue Reading

Ukraine: casualty count lies as a fog of war

The war in Ukraine is shaping up to be one of the bloodiest of the 21st century, with both sides reported to be losing hundreds of soldiers each day as the conflict moves toward its first anniversary. But just how many people are dying in this bitter struggle depends on who is doing the reporting. […]Continue Reading

AI, technomarkers and a smarter search for alien life

Some 540 million years ago, diverse life forms suddenly began to emerge from the muddy ocean floors of planet Earth. This period is known as the Cambrian Explosion, and these aquatic critters are our ancient ancestors. All complex life on Earth evolved from these underwater creatures. Scientists believe all it took was an ever-so-slight increase […]Continue Reading

West giving billions to Ukraine and nearly nothing to Myanmar

Two years after Myanmar’s coup on February 1, 2021, the country’s large and growing resistance forces receive almost no attention outside the country. The democratic opposition, fronted by the National Unity Government (NUG), but comprising many different groups, armies, militias and individuals, has also struggled to gain awareness, even for its substantial battlefield successes. And […]Continue Reading