Welcome to the August 2015 Members’ Roundup! Last month CIMSEC members have examined a range of major maritime security issues, including the new U.S. DoD Asia-Pacific maritime strategy, Iranian capabilities in the Persian Gulf, and NATO’s northern threat from Russia in the Arctic.

Beginning in the Western Pacific, Bryan Clark gave a presentation at the Hudson Institute concerning the missile threat China poses to U.S. regional allies and U.S. forward deployed forces. The discussion centered on China’s missiles and their ability to deter U.S. regional influence, primarily through limiting the operational capabilities of U.S. surface fleets in conflict. Harry Kazianis, for The National Interest, provides further details regarding the Chinese missile threat by describing the challenge U.S. sea-based interceptors, such as the Aegis based SM-3 and SM-2 Block 4, will have in engaging ballistic and conventional missiles such as China’s DF-26 or DF-21D. For further reading, Zachary Keck, also for The National Interest, identifies additional Chinese missiles posing threats to U.S. forces in the Western Pacific.

CIMSEC’s founder, Scott Cheney-Peters, along with members BJ Armstrong and Bryan McGrath, contributed to CSIS’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) with commentary on the new DoD Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Strategy. The review offers an evaluation of the pace at which U.S. military capacity in the region is being strengthened relative to China. Also provided was an analysis of the strategic importance of distinguishing conflict and coercion in the region. BJ Armstrong further analyzed the new DoD strategy in his article for War on the Rocks, where he also provided a historical context for U.S. naval operations in the Asia-Pacific.

Scott also joined Harry and The Diplomat‘s Shannon Tiezzi for a panel discussion on the latest South China Sea developments hosted by the Project for the Study of the 21st Century. You can watch their chat here.

Continuing on China and Asia-Pacific regional security issues, James Goldrick for The Interpreter, discusses the challenges the Taiwanese Navy faces regarding China and a high-level threat environment. Mr. Goldrick identifies key features of Taiwan’s future acquisition program for the Navy – emphasizing submarine hulls and major systems, guided missile destroyers, fast attack missile-carrying catamarans and mine warfare technologies.

A refreshing perspective offered by Vijay Sakhuja in the Nikkei Asian Review considers joint Search and Rescue (SAR) operations as a platform for increased inter-governmental relations in the South China Sea. With regional pressures reaching critical levels, he contends joint SAR operations would reduce tensions by creating a safer maritime environment while also promoting regional dialogue and cooperation.

Leaving the Asia-Pacific, another Zachary Keck National Interest article considers the U.S. Navy’s strategy to combat Iran’s asymmetric naval doctrine. Mr. Keck highlights capability improvements being implemented to date to overcome the challenges faced at joint war game exercise Millennium Challenge 02 (MC02), including deployment of Longbow Hellfire Missiles aboard Littoral Combat Ships. Also from The National Interest, Robert Farley delivers an overview of Iranian weapons and tactics that provide Iran with aspects of strategic influence in the gulf region, including C-802 cruise missiles and irregular warfare strategies.

To conclude the August roundup, ADM. James Stavridis, for Foreign Policy, provides insight on current NATO defense capabilities while emphasizing the increase in Russian military operations in the Arctic. ADM. Stavridis describes Russia’s aggressive territorial claims near the Lomonosov Ridge, increased air patrols and the establishing of Arctic Brigades, as well as NATO’s capability to respond to an increasing Northern threat.  ­­

Members of CIMSEC were also active elsewhere during August:

• Chuck Hill commented on his Coast Guard Blog regarding aspects of international law and changing EEZs in addition to also describing Israel’s new augmented Offshore Patrol Cutter.
•  James Stavridis, for Signal, shares a second article this month discussing maritime nations and their need for 21^st century sea power.
• Brett Davis examines Presidential campaigns and the implications for the U.S. navy at at Offiziere.
• Also at Offiziere, Brett Freidman discusses amphibious power as part of a joint Bridge-CIMSEC project.
• BJ Armstrong and Scott Cheney-Peters joined the War on the Rocks podcast for a special look at drinking through naval history.
• Alex Calvo discussed features of Russian naval operations in the Mediterranean for the Eurasia Daily Monitor and also provided an issue briefing regarding Russia’s South China Sea approach for the South China Sea Think Tank.
• Mira Rapp-Hooper contributed two articles for War on the Rocks. She suggested steps to be taken in the South China Sea to reduce tensions as well as the longstanding affects of WWII over maritime Asia. In addition, she also participated in the War on the Rocks podcast ‘Around the World’.
• LTJG Chris O’Keefe, for the S. Naval Institute, discussed the history of women serving in the Navy and additionally, discussed whether or not junior officers aspire to command.
• Roger Misso, for the S. Naval Institute, considered the impact the millennial generation will have on complex issues within the defense acquisition process. He also provided a second article discussing different perspectives on ‘Women in Writing Week’.
• Also at USNI, Vic Allen comments on junior naval aviators and their limited opportunity to receive command of a carrier air-wing.
• Lauren Dickey, for The Council on Foreign Relations, examined the political background and goals for the Chinese V-Day parade – which displayed a range of advanced military technologies previously unseen by the public.
• For the National Maritime Foundation, Vijay Sakhuja discussed the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the issue of South China Sea reclamations.
• James Goldrick reviewed Australian naval shipbuilding and developing a long-term procurement strategy at The Interpreter.
• Steven Wills, for Information Dissemination, considered the number of ships the U.S. Navy would need to sustain U.S. global requirements while remaining within a reasonable budget.
• Chris Rawley, for Information Dissemination, comments on Iran’s escalating shadow wars and the implications for the U.S. Navy’s FIFTH Fleet headquartered in Bahrain.
• Matt Hipple, for The New York Times, discussed military spending cuts and the implications it could have on national security, military readiness and the quality of enlisted personnel.
• Adin Dobkin discussed S. cyber security and the potential characteristics of large-scale cyber conflict for the American Security Project.
• Bret Perry, for Small Wars Journal, analyzed the critical role of information operations and special operations in the Ukraine war.
• Louis Martin-Vézian, for Contemporary Issues and Geography, provided a graphic chart illustrating all of the active fighter squadrons (aggressor squadrons) in the U.S. Air Force.

At CIMSEC we encourage members to continue writing, either here on the NextWar blog or through other means. You can assist us by emailing your works to [email protected].