Blog Posts

"Afghans are fleeing to Europe in numbers not seen even under the repressive Taliban regime."

"With Iraqi forces claiming victory in Ramadi, Baghdad finds itself facing a pair of difficult tests."

"Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi visited Ramadi Tuesday after government forces recaptured the government compound in the key western city."

Sponsored and organized jointly by TRENDS Research and Advisory, the UAE and the Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies.

"Calling for integrity in an election year may be a particularly good way to ensure that any resolutions that follow will be broken early and often."

Frequent SWJ contributing author Ben Zweibelson has two military design articles out recently, as design continues to become an international affair.

"The White House has steadily expanded the global missions of American Special Operations troops."

“A surprise visit on Christmas Day between the leaders of India and Pakistan hint at a mutual desire to no longer let historic tensions hinder their drive against poverty.”

"Iraq's army said on Sunday it had defeated Islamic State fighters in a provincial capital west of Baghdad."

SWJ Fire Team in Wedge Formation

"Unlike so many abuses against Afghan women that unfold in private, this killing in March prompted a national outcry."

"The IS released a new message purportedly from its reclusive leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claiming that his self-styled 'caliphate' is doing well."

"One major problem, according to current and former intelligence and military officials, is that U.S. policy has simply not adjusted to the complex realities on the ground."

"Over the history of the U.S., several big military actions have taken place on Dec. 25. Here are four noteworthy ones."

"Washington’s reluctance to risk civilian casualties in the U.S.-led air campaign against the Islamic State terror group is again being questioned."

"We join with people around the world in praying for God’s protection for persecuted Christians and those of other faiths."

Merry Christmas from SWJ to you and yours.

“Working alongside Russian forces will likely enhance the group's ongoing shift toward a more offensive-minded strategy.”

"Russia is exchanging information with the Taliban and sees shared interest with the insurgents when it comes to counteracting the spread of the Islamic State."

Continue on for the Mad Scientist Call for Papers.

Continue on for the Mad Scientist Conference: Megacities and Dense Urban Areas Information Paper.

"A switch in tactics has provided the Iraqi Security Forces with some victories in their battle against the so-called Islamic State, notably in Ramadi, says the US military."

"It has now been almost exactly a year since U.S. and ISAF combat forces formally left Afghanistan. So far, the Afghan government and Afghan forces are losing at every level."

"The Preventive Priorities Survey seeks to evaluate conflicts based on their likelihood of occurring or escalating and their impact on U.S. national interests."

If the United States goes back to the Middle East in force, how will it do so? Certainly no one hears any thoughts on the subject from the active military.