OE Watch, Vol. 10 (Iss. 07)

The July issue of OE Watch continues to feature foreign perspectives on the OE, particularly on how Russia and China are leveraging emerging technologies and foreign presence to exploit opportunities in their respective areas of interest, as well as a variety of topics related to COVID-19 and security affairs.

Several articles look at recent Russian military training (“Training the Airborne for Mountain Combat”), especially how Russian military aviation is increasing its international presence (“Russian Aviation Increases Training”).  The Arctic continues to be an area of competition among Asian powers (“Looking Beyond China: Asian Actors in the Russian Arctic (Part Two)”) and Russia is working to increase its security in the Arctic zone (“The Northern Fleet’s Training with an Arctic Focus”).  The issue also demonstrates Russia’s expanding military presence in the Middle East and North Africa (“Expanding Russia’s Military Presence in Syria”; “Russian Arms Sales to Iran?”; “Russian Power Projection in the Middle East and North Africa”). Major technological advances in Russian military capabilities are also highlighted (“Russia’s Mi-28NM ‘Night Superhunter’ Attack Helicopter”; “Russia’s A-50U Long-Range Radar Detection Aircraft”).

The Chinese military is also advancing its capabilities through new concepts and launches (“Integrated-Strike Battalions in China’s Vision of Future Warfare”; “China Tests Emergency Support Capabilities Along its Southern Border”; “Chinese Flying Boat Enters Next Stage of Development”).  Meanwhile, China sees itself as leading the way in 6G technology (“China Sees Itself Widening the Gap with the US in 6G Technology”).  As the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc in Africa, China sees an opportunity by providing significant aid to the continent (“China-Africa Relations in the Time of COVID-19”).  Like many other countries, India is searching for creative solutions to balance military readiness, soldier safety and rising costs in the time of COVID-19 (“An ‘Internship’ in the Indian Army?”). 

In the Middle East and North Africa section, multiple articles cover the complicated dynamics of the conflicts in Syria and Libya (“Russia and Iran’s Competitive Relationship in Syria”; “Scenarios for the Future of Syria”; “Tension between Russia and Turkey over Libya”).  Advances in Iranian military technology are also highlighted (“IRGC Navy Showcases Unmanned Underwater Vehicle”; “IRGC Navy Announces Construction of Two New Ships and Unveils New Speedboats”).

In Latin America, cartels are using the pandemic to either fill a governance void or expand their operations (“Gulf Cartel Conducts Psychological Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic”; “Mexican Cartels Expanding Operations in Colombia”).  Meanwhile, the pandemic appears to have brought Venezuela and Iran closer (“More Iran in Venezuela”; “Iranian Gasoline Support to Venezuela Linked During Pandemic”).

This issue of OE Watch features 63 articles covering various security challenges from the foreign perspective from over 30 different countries and regions around the globe. 

It can be found at FMSO’s website: https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/fmso/. All of FMSO’s books, studies, and OE Watch issues are there.

This particular issue can be downloaded directly at: https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/fmso/m/oe-watch-past-issues/340009/download.

For more information on this product, please contact:  Mr. Paul (Kent) Baumann (paul.k.baumann2.civ@mail.mil), Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS