War Is Boring

The just ended standoff between China and the Philippines over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea is a painful reminder of Manila’s maritime weakness.

The U.S. Coast Guard sank a derelict Japanese ship that has been drifting towards U.S. waters since last year’s tsunami. From the Coast Guard Website.

The U.S. Coast Guard could finally be on track to acquire a new oceangoing icebreaker to boost its dwindling polar fleet.

In terms of personnel the [U.S.] Coast Guard is now larger than the Royal Navy. In effect it is the [U.S.] Navy’s closest and most reliable ally. The economic advantages of close coordination are compelling.

“There are many factors that make it extremely unlikely that the [People's Republic of China] will use military force to try to achieve the long-held goal of ‘reunification,’” Jeffrey Wasserstrom wrote in his book China in the 21st Century. For one, “money and people are moving across the straits regularly and in ways that benefit both countries.”

by DAVID AXE Eight years ago the U.S. Coast Guard, owner of one of the world’s oldest naval fleets, launched a $25-billion program to build new ships and airplanes, all connected by a sophisticated communications network. The rescue service called the ambitious program, “Deepwater.” Deepwater soon found itself in, uh, deep water. Old patrol boats [...]

by DAVID AXE Global climate change is changing the patterns of ice coverage in the Arctic. For nations with polar territory, this change represents a danger, and an opportunity. Maritime forces are at the forefront of mitigating growing risks in Arctic, while also exploring opportunities for new shipping routes, mineral exploration and tourism. Russia, Canada, [...]