A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
In the complex landscape of Taiwanese defense politics, a stark divide has emerged between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of the Tsai administration, particularly concerning the …
Internal Politics Cause Chasm in Taiwan’s Defense Posture Read More
“War has returned to Europe. Germany and its allies once again confront a military threat. The international order is being attacked in Europe and around the world. We are experiencing …
Germany Faces Tall Task in Reversing Bundeswehr’s Decline Read More
Particularly after its most recent war with Azerbaijan, Armenia has found itself isolated, lacking support from treaty ally Russia but without great options to replace Moscow as security guarantor. France, …
By Way of Poti Read More
On October 24th, a People’s Republic of China (PRC) J-11 fighter came within 10 feet of a U.S. B-52 bomber during an intercept in international airspace near the South China …
China’s Aircraft Intercepts Brazenly Risk Disaster Read More
Azerbaijan announced an “anti-terrorist operation” in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, reigniting warfare with rival Armenia over the breakaway republic’s political future. The announcement coincided with shelling along the contact line, …
Azerbaijan Resumes Nagorno-Karabakh Military Operations Read More
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un traveled northwards to Russia for a nearly week-long visit, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials, as well as touring …
Russia’s DPRK Outreach Read More
The Swedish government has put forth a budget bill for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) that will drive defense spending up by 30 percent year-on-year and push the country towards the …
Eying NATO Membership, Swedish Government Proposes Defense Spending Hike Read More
The Polish draft budget for FY24 released by the Ministry of Finance indicates a sharp year-on-year increase for the country’s defense budget. The proposed earmark reflects a rise from the …
Poland Proposes Double-Digit 2024 Budgetary Increase for Defense Read More
Overnight on June 23 of this year, Wagner Group commander Yevgeny Prigozhin played his hand, launching a mutiny against the Russian Ministry of Defense after months of bickering with its …
Putin Owns the Cards Read More
BOAC Mosquito in 1943. Image – BAE SystemsThose with a keen interest in World War Two might have read about Swedish ball-bearing production during the conflict. Surprisingly, Swedish ball bearings …
Sweden and Those Ball Bearings Read More