A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
President Donald Trump imposed retaliatory tariffs on imports from U.S. trading partners, arguing that existing foreign tariffs negatively impact U.S. manufacturers and employment. The intricate nature of global trade, characterized …
Trump, Tariffs and Defense Read More
The global defense landscape is evolving, and NATO is at a pivotal moment. With discussions intensifying around raising the defense spending benchmark from 2% to 5% of GDP, this potential …
Beyond 2%: NATO’s Defense Budget Shift – Webcast Read More
As European capitals grapple with Washington’s changing foreign policy priorities under the Trump administration, the continent is increasingly coming to terms with the state of its military readiness, especially in …
ReArm Europe: A Look at the European Commission White Paper Read More
“Now is the time to speak honestly so that every European understands what is at stake. A new international order will be formed in the second half of this decade …
Beyond Headlines: Europe’s Defense Dream vs. Reality Read More
The likely next chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, announced on Friday, March 14, that he had secured enough votes to enable a massive new expenditure plan aimed at infrastructure and …
Germany’s Landmark Spending Deal Gets Approved – Now Comes the Lift Read More
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a surprise announcement to the House of Commons on February 25, outlining plans to increase the British defense budget to 2.5 percent per year …
Keir Starmer’s U.K. Defense Spending Pledge Comes with Asterisks Read More
When Germans went to the polls on Sunday, February 23, three main issues appeared to be weighing on the public: high energy costs, a lagging economy, and immigration. Further on …
Will the German Election Herald a New Chapter for its Defense? Read More
Vietnam’s People’s Air Force (VPAF) faces a critical challenge: replacing its aging fleet of fighter aircraft while simultaneously expanding its defense partnerships. The backbone of Vietnam’s air force, the Soviet-era …
Vietnam’s Urgent Air Force Overhaul: Exploring Fighter Jet Options Amid Global Tensions Read More
Greenland has been in the news a lot lately. The world’s largest island – and least densely populated region on earth – is home to under 60,000 people. Ice covers …
The Great Greenland Gambit Read More
With its latest budgetary earmark announced on February 1, India’s defense establishment can expect another year of limited military modernization. The FY25-26 allocation is set at INR6.81 trillion ($77.8 billion), …
India’s Defense Budget Rise Insufficient to Meet Strategic Requirements Read More