Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2021

John McLaughlin, Ozy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Reality of Afghanistan

The Taliban are strong and well-armed. The elected government is weak, corruption is rife, and government security forces are struggling. What could go wrong?

President’s Joe Biden’s decision to bring all U.S. troops home from Afghanistan by Sept. 11 has provoked enormous controversy across the political spectrum.

Opinion divides between those outraged by what they see as a potentially disastrous “cut and run” decision and those who insist that keeping troops there would just prolong an unwinnable war that has already consumed 20 years and many lives.

Critics and supporters are about equally divided, and each side can make a good case, so let’s peel back the arguments to see what’s underneath.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 29, 2021

Afghanistan: How Six Good Reasons Can Still Lead to a Bad Decision -- Tim Willasey-Wilsey, Cipher Brief

Candid reflections on Afghanistan from those whose lives were changed forever by the war -- Howard Altman, Military Times

I Commanded a NATO Brigade in Afghanistan. Now Is Not the Time to Leave. -- James L. Creighton, National Interest

India’s COVID Tsunami -- Shashi Tharoor, Project Syndicate

India's COVID 'inferno': Why is the second surge happening now? -- Beatrice Christofaro, DW

Philippines headed towards India-like Covid crisis -- Jason Castaneda, Asia Times

Who should America give its surplus vaccines to? -- Andrew Salman, Asia Times

Is latest Ethiopian proposal on Nile dam talks a play for time? -- Ahmed Gomaa, Al-Monitor

Is Somalia on the brink of a new conflict? -- Al Jazeera

It Is Time to Change Approach to North Korea -- Daniel R. DePetris, RCW

Washington is avoiding the tough questions on Taiwan and China -- Foreign Affairs

Biden’s $90 billion bailout to Tehran -- Foreign Policy

Displaced Conflict: Russia’s Qualified Success in Combatting Insurgency -- Mark Youngman and Cerwyn Moore, Russia Matters

Glenn Greenwald Says US-Russia Relationship ‘Clearly at Low Point,’ Names Two Reasons Why -- Sputnik

Armed Gangs and Warlords Are Taking Over Venezuela -- Frida Ghitis Thursday, WPR

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Bath Iron Works starts building new Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyer USS J. William Middendorf

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has started construction of the future USS J. William Middendorf (DDG 138), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that will strengthen the U.S. Navy’s missile-defense and escort capacity during sustained operations in the Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific. The ceremonial first steel cut took place in Maine on May 19, 2026, as the Navy continues relying on Flight III destroyers equipped with the SPY-6 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system to replace the air defense and command role of retiring Ticonderoga-class cruisers ahead of the future DDG(X) program. Read full defense news at this link... USS J. William Middendorf belongs to the Flight III configuration that began with USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first Flight III destroyer commissioned in October 2023. (Picture source: US Navy) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/tSRkVWI via IFTTT

U.S. Army Conducts Gunnery Exercise With Latest Air Defense System Sgt Stout.

U.S. Army officials confirmed that a live gunnery exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, is underway, featuring the latest-generation Sgt Stout short-range air defense system. The drills mark a significant step toward full operational integration as units across the force adapt to evolving threats from drones, rotary-wing aircraft, and low-flying munitions. It matters because Sgt. Stout enhances the Army’s ability to defend forward-deployed troops and critical infrastructure from modern aerial threats. Read full Defense News at this link ... A U.S. Army SGT Stout SHORAD air defense vehicle maneuvers into firing position during live-fire training with the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/NYmsS1n via IFTTT

US-built first Saudi MMSC frigate HMS Saud launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard

According to information published by the Saudi Ministry of Defense on December 18, 2025, the first Multi-Mission Surface Combatant frigate constructed in the United States for the Royal Saudi Navy has been officially launched at Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The ship, designated HMS Saud with pennant number 820 and also known as Jalalat Al-Malik Saud in honor of King Saud, is the lead vessel in a four-ship program ordered under Project Tuwaiq through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales framework, a deal that defense officials have repeatedly described as a cornerstone of bilateral naval cooperation. Read more. The HMS Saud (820) has an overall length of approximately 118 meters, in some sources detailed as 118.6 meters, with a beam of 17.6 meters, a draft of about 4.3 meters, and a full-load displacement estimated at roughly 3,600 tonnes. (Picture source: Saudi MoD) Read full Defense news. from World Defence News https://ift....

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