A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Faced with an increasingly confrontational situation with neighboring Turkey in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, Greece is embarking on an upgrade of the Hellenic Armed Forces a decade after the …
Greece Commits to Upgrading its Military Capabilities Read More
This weekend, Belarus heads to the polls in what is expected to be a blow-out victory for the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, delivering him his sixth consecutive term. While the …
Belarus Approaches Crucial Presidential Election Read More
Japan’s abrupt decision to suspend deployment of U.S.-produced AEGIS Ashore missile defense systems amid cost and technical concerns came as a bit of a surprise. Announced by Defense Minister Taro …
Japan’s AEGIS Ashore Deployment Suspension Raises Questions Read More
The South Korean government plans to trim around KRW300 billion ($245 million) from the country’s 2020 defense allocation in order to bolster its economic relief effort in light of the …
Due to COVID-19, South Korea Plans Fresh Cut to 2020 Defense Budget Read More
The White House has announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty. The decision initiates a six-month buffer period before a formal exit takes place. The Open Skies Treaty …
U.S. Follows Through on Open Skies Treaty Withdrawal Read More
China has announced a defense budget for 2020 that will result in a year-on-year nominal increase of 6.6 percent, the lowest such figure since the first half of the 1990s. …
China’s Defense Budget Set to Grow at Slower Pace Read More
The commander of the Libyan National Army, Gen. Khalifa Haftar, has threatened to escalate the LNA’s offensive in western Libya, amid reports that his militia has taken delivery of fighter …
LNA Reportedly Receives Fighter Jets as It Plans Escalation of Libya War Read More
Afghan security forces have repelled a Taliban attack on the northern city of Kunduz. In a statement on Tuesday, the Afghan Defense Ministry announced that an early morning attack on …
Afghan Military Thwarts Taliban Attack on Kunduz Read More
When a weapon system is purchased by or gifted to a state, it will then generally enter into service with that state’s military and be put to use either in …
Caution: Armaments Not Intended for Use Read More
Iran has called the U.S. effort to extend the arms embargo on Iran “illegitimate.” In a statement on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, said, “Iran is not seeking …
Iran Dismisses American Effort to Extend Arms Embargo Read More