Articles written by David Axe
By David Axe
15 Jul 2009 |
World Politics Review
Recent reports suggest that a shipment of 33 tanks, initially hijacked by pirates last year, was indeed destined for South Sudan, despite denials from Kenyan authorities at the time. The allegation, if true, would finger the Kenyan government in a
sanctions-skirting arms race that could result in another
round of civil warfare in Sudan, putting Nairobi at odds with the U.S.
By David Axe
08 Jul 2009 |
World Politics Review
Somalis are famously nationalistic compared to their East African neighbors. But although neither side in the country's ongoing civil war likes to admit it, Somalia's combatants are, to varying
degrees, proxies for foreign powers, each with their own agendas. For Somali extremists, the support Eritrea offers their cause is a secret worth killing for.
By David Axe
01 Jul 2009 |
World Politics Review
Sri Lanka's bloody, 26-year insurgency is an example of "hybrid"warfare, a concept driving major changes in the military planning ofthe U.S. and its allies. After significant setbacks in earlier phases of the conflict, the Sri Lankan military finally adapted itstactics and organization to defeat a heavilyarmed insurgent enemy, whose forces at times resembled those of awell-established state.
By David Axe
26 Jun 2009 |
WPR Blog
An effort to save a Somali journalist from assassination is halfway to success.
By David Axe
24 Jun 2009 |
World Politics Review
Despite the best U.S. intentions, "smart power" missions ironically risk encouraging countries' isolation -- a dilemma underscored by the death of Gabon's President Omar Bongo. With their rich gifts of military, humanitarian and economic aid, such missions are meant to give developing countries a"hand up." But corrupt regimes often see them as a handout.
By David Axe
17 Jun 2009 |
World Politics Review
To mark a visit by a Swedish delegation to a joint U.S.-Baltic military exercise, a U.S. naval vessel flew a Swedish flag and blared music by the Swedish pop band ABBA from its loudspeakers. It was a moment of levity that belied the exercise's deadly serious politics, balancing U.S. efforts to solidify partnerships with the desire to restore U.S.-Russian relations.
By David Axe
10 Jun 2009 |
World Politics Review
On Sunday, gunmen in Mogadishu ambushed and killed Muktar Mohamed Hirabe, one of Somalia's most respected journalists. Hirabe's slaying underscores the ongoing lawlessness in the country. Criminality, kidnapping and political assassination remain common --
and journalists seem to suffer a disproportionate share of the
violence.
By David Axe
03 Jun 2009 |
World Politics Review
In April, the U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort sailed from Virginia with 900 doctors, nurses, engineers and civilian volunteers aboard, to deliver humanitarian aid to seven Latin American countries. Like most U.S. Navy smart-power missions, this one includes participants from other
countries. But
surprisingly, the Chinese navy has also requested a consultation during
Comfort's upcoming stay in Colombia.
By David Axe
27 May 2009 |
World Politics Review
In recent months, reformers have successfully fought for sweeping changes to military force structure. The changes are meant to boost the Pentagon's ability to fight in low-intensity conflicts, as opposed to the major conflicts expected in the past. In addition to the structural changes, persistent conflicts demand new ways of thinking about -- and training for -- war.
By David Axe
20 May 2009 |
World Politics Review
U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan have established an
experimental security force drawn from local Afghan fighters, in a bid
to better provide the street-level security that has proved
instrumental to defeating entrenched insurgencies. But the force risks repeating the mistakes of an
earlier attempt to use Afghan militias in the U.S.-NATO war
effort.
By David Axe
13 May 2009 |
World Politics Review
A fresh round of fighting in eastern
Chad, near Sudan's embattled
Darfur province, has claimed the lives of 225 rebels and 22 government troops. The violence complicates delicate efforts to build a framework for a lasting peace, as well as to
care for hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced
persons.
By David Axe
06 May 2009 |
World Politics Review
The steady rise in piracy off the Somali coast seems inconsistent with eyewitness and expert
testimony painting Somali pirates as disorganized and even
amateurish. That suggests that increasingly sophisticated and effective
criminal networks are relying on poorly trained foot soldiers to carry
out pirate attacks.
By David Axe
30 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
ABOARD THE U.S.S. NASHVILLE -- In his civilian clothes, Dr.
Augustus Vogel stood out among the khaki, green and blue uniforms of
Nashville's military crew. As the U.S. Navy's science liaison for the
amphibious ship's six-month "smart power" mission delivering training,
humanitarian and scientific assistance to six West African nations,
Vogel's responsibilities were as unusual as his dress.
By David Axe
29 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
With governments worldwide bracing for a swine-flu pandemic that could claim thousands of lives, the
Pentagon could play a leading role in combating the disease.
Recent emphasis on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief has
prepared the military for a global public health mission. But a lack of
detailed directives from Washington could undermine its
response.
By David Axe
24 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
ABOARD THE U.S.S. NASHVILLE --
On a mission down the West African coast, the U.S.S. Nashville delivered humanitarian aid, provided free medical care, helped rebuild schools and trained African sailors
to better look after their waters. Nashville's successful
cruise has helped establish Africa Partnership Station as the
centerpiece of a new national "smart power" strategy for preventing
conflict.
By David Axe
22 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
LIBREVILLE, Gabon -- When the unarmed medical teams from the
amphibious ship U.S.S. Nashville arrived for a scheduled visit at
Centre-Arc-en-Ciel, a children's shelter in this lush West Africa
capital, the roughly 20 children there panicked. They fled into the
shelter's boys' dormitory, one tiny boy even curling up into a ball on
the bottom shelf of a locker.
By David Axe
15 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
While much of the military establishment in Washington, D.C. plans for a projected conventional war with China, Beijing
is expanding its
influence through non-military means. Principal among them is the deployment of Chinese technocrats
on profit-seeking missions for the world's third-largest economy.
By David Axe
08 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
A campaign to "decapitate"
extremist groups in Pakistan using pilotless drone aircraft has caused controversy due to civilian casualties and political fallout in Islamabad. Despite this, the U.S. military is apparently preparing to
continue, and even expand, the secretive robot air campaign.
By David Axe
01 Apr 2009 |
World Politics Review
President Obama's emphasis on "smart power" is by now well known. What has gotten less attention is the central role President Obama foresees
in this approach for strengthening partnerships with foreign
militaries. In the Middle East, that means building an alliance of heavily armed, pro-U.S. nations to contain Iran.
By David Axe
18 Mar 2009 |
World Politics Review
The recent U.S.-China naval incident could be a harbinger of a naval
arms race in the region. India is positioned to help the U.S. balance a "more military, aggressive,
forward-looking" China. But an effective alliance with India hinges on
India building a truly effective regional navy -- and that's no easy
task.
