A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Following the “12-Day War” with Israel in June 2025, the Iranian government accelerated negotiations with Russia and China to procure advanced missile systems. According to recent reports from the Financial Times and Reuters, these talks persisted even after the international arms embargo was reinstated in September.
Iran Turned to Russia, China for Missiles After 12-Day War Read More
Chinese Project 093B (Shang III) Submarines – Source: Chinese Government Media Last week, the U.K.’s International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank issued a landmark report concluding that between …
Production and Power: China Outpaces U.S. in Nuclear Submarine Construction Read More
Illustration of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor. Source: Lockheed Martin The U.S. is significantly expanding production of missile systems, including PAC-3 MSE, Tomahawk, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), SM-3, and SM-6, …
Accelerating U.S. Missile Development and Naval Posture in the Indo-Pacific Read More
The Pentagon has released a new National Defense Strategy (NDS) that represents a shift in Washington’s strategic posture, placing renewed emphasis on homeland defense, bolstering U.S. influence in the Western …
National Defense Strategy Prioritizes the Western Hemisphere, Shifts Burden-Sharing to Allies Read More
PLA Rocket Force units participating in a parade for the PRC’s 70th anniversary in Beijing. Source – People’s Republic of China As China enters its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026–2030), Beijing …
Analysis of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Its Expected Impact on China’s Military Modernization Read More
As Russia slogs along with its largely stalemated invasion of Ukraine, leaning on additional help in the form of drones and munitions from sources such as Iran and North Korea …
The Bottom of the Barrel: Russia and China’s Battle for the Lower-Tier Defense Export Market Read More
Leaders of NATO space forces agree with the conclusion U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Salzman reached in his March “Space Warfighting” document: military planners can …
The New Era of Space Warfare Read More
On September 3, China’s President Xi Jinping hosted a group of foreign leaders attending the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Victory Day parade in Beijing. The event featured the largest military …
Spectacle or Substance? Decoding Xi’s September 3 Military Extravaganza Read More
In April, the Trump administration announced that U.S. companies such as Nvidia and AMD would require licenses to export certain semiconductor chips to China. These chips are used in AI …
Nvidia, AMD Strike Deal as U.S. Balances Defense and Trade Read More
On August 5, the Australian government announced its decision to adopt Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate design to fulfill the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) requirement for a new class of six …
Silent Currents: The Strategic Significance of Australia’s Frigate Choice Read More