A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
To say January 6 was a chaotic day in American politics would be an understatement. In hours, control of the Senate changed parties, an angry mob stormed the Capitol, President-Elect …
A Whirlwind Day Sees the Senate Flip and Biden’s Victory Certified, Despite Chaos on the Hill Read More
In what may reasonably be described as a surprise, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a major investment package for the Ministry of Defence – marking the largest such …
British Government Announces Major Defense Spending Boost Read More
Just a few weeks before the U.S. presidential election, the Trump administration has cleared yet another billion-plus-dollar Foreign Military Sales package for Taiwan. The latest FMS package involves three sales …
Taiwan Cleared for $1.8 Billion Worth of FMS Purchases Read More
In line with the provisions of the 2015 nuclear accord, the arms embargo on Iran has now expired. The end of the restrictions comes despite a last-minute effort on the …
Arms Embargo on Iran Expires Read More
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