A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced a £2.9 billion ($3.77 billion) hike for the defense budget in fiscal year 2025-2026. The announcement came as the chancellor presented …
Labor Government Pledges More Funding Next Year for U.K. Defense, But Hard Questions Await Read More
A year after Oct. 7, the Middle East is in the midst of one of its most widespread conflicts in recent memory, with new developments coming at a dizzying rate. …
Northern Front: Israel’s Expanding Conflict with Hezbollah and Iranian Regional Influence Read More
Ireland’s Ministry of Defense announced a topline budget of €1.35 billion ($1.5 billion) for fiscal year 2025 on October 1. The FY25 allocation marks a €100 million ($111 million) rise …
Ireland Announces Record $1.5 Billion Defense Budget for 2025 Read More
The Dutch Ministry of Defense issued a new white paper on military development last week, urging further funding for new procurement and personnel. The paper, which follows a similar missive …
Dutch Ministry of Defense Publishes New Defense White Paper Read More
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has submitted a budget request of ¥8.54 trillion ($59.76 billion) for fiscal year 2025 (FY25). The requested total marks a 7.5 percent increase over the current …
No Going Back: Japan Continues to Hike Defense Spending Read More
The recent military coups in West Africa have severely impacted U.S. and French counterterrorism and intelligence operations in the region. Niger, a key ally in the fight against Islamist extremism, …
AFRICOM Scrambles To Sustain Intel Operations In West Africa Read More
In June, the Nigerian Army achieved a significant milestone by acquiring two UH-1H “Huey” helicopters, formally establishing its new Aviation Wing. This move is part of a broader strategy to …
Nigeria Expands Army Aviation Amid Regional Security Read More
A recent failed coup attempt in Bolivia has sparked outrage, concern and a conflict of narratives, as some observers doubt the origin of the uprising. Swirling allegations in a country …
Bolivia’s Controversial Coup Attempt Underscores Internal Tensions Read More
On June 1, 2024, the Netherlands made history, becoming the first country to officially assign its F-35A stealth fighters to the nuclear strike role, a significant milestone for NATO’s military …
Netherlands Enhances Nuclear Arsenal with F-35A: A New Era in NATO-Russia Tensions Read More
As tensions in the Taiwan Strait have escalated in recent years, Taiwan’s 2024 election loomed as a potential landmark event in cross-strait relations. Taiwanese voters took to the polls on …
Taiwanese Presidential Inauguration Sparks Milestone Chinese Military Exercise Read More