Upheaval in Myanmar, the U.S.-Japanese Relationship and Strengthening Military Readiness from Canada to Sweden

This week, War on the Rocks authors examined the security and defense capabilities of NATO member states, addressing topics ranging from Canada’s military readiness to Sweden’s civil defense. Plus, a look at the U.S.-Japanese relationship and the evolving security situation in Myanmar.

Read below.

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Articles

To fully realize an economic statecraft doctrine, policymakers should also integrate a framework around positive economic tools that incentivize desired economic behaviors to achieve foreign policy outcomes.

In response to intensifying competition between the United States and China over semiconductor technologies, we asked Jeffrey Bean and Stephen Ezell to look back on their 2021 article "When the Chips are Down: Policy Priorities for Sustaining U.S. Semiconductor Leadership ."

Faced with today’s worsening international security environment, Canadians are again realizing that they should step up militarily. But the decades-long neglect of their armed forces will make it far harder for Canada to make meaningful contributions to international peace and security in the coming years.

As calls for a “Cyber Force ” grow louder, the armed services will only become more pressed to improve the three interrelated processes of recruiting, training, and retaining talent to lead the execution of cyber missions.

Last Monday, an airstrike hit the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, an attack widely attributed to Israel. We asked five experts to tell us more about the attack and whether it raises the risk of a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.

European leaders should prepare to help deter China through economic means, to strengthen the resilience of regional powers, and to gear up to defend Europe to relieve pressure on the United States should war break out.?

At a time when European countries are committing more to defense spending, Sweden demonstrates that investing in military hardware is only the start of building a robust and credible defense — that work begins at home.?

The bipartisan consensus in favor of unconditional support for Israel is seriously weakened within the electorate. However, it is less clear whether that consensus is fading among policymakers and what the impacts will be for the future of U.S. policy.

Why should we look to Cold War case studies to inform policy today? While it is essential not to over-read similarities between then and now, the two eras have important parallels.

Your bi-weekly update about America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists.

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Podcasts

In recent weeks, the anti-junta resistance in Myanmar has made new military breakthroughs, while the United Nations has also appointed a new special envoy for the country. Nicola Williams joined the WarCast to discuss.

Yesterday, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.?Jeffrey Hornung joined the WarCast to discuss the visit.

On this episode of Horns of a Dilemma, Ramon Pacheco Pardo discusses his book, "South Korea’s Grand Strategy: Making Its Own Destiny."

This week, South Korea’s liberal opposition party won a landslide victory in a general election, giving them control of parliament. Jonathan Corrado joined the WarCast to tell us more about the results and what they will mean for South Korea.

Chris Preble, Melanie Marlowe, and Zack Cooper debate the 2024 ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute State of Southeast Asia Survey, in which regional experts assess power trends and perceptions among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Erin sat down with John Stanko and Spenser Warren to discuss their piece, “Russian Threat Perception and Nuclear Strategy in its Plans for War with China ,” which was published on April 2.

Mike Kofman and Rob Lee deep dive into the role of drones and other uncrewed weapons systems in Ukraine. This deep and fascinating conversation is one of a two-part discussion that you can listen to on the Russia Contingency.

Emma Salisbury joined The Insider to discuss her article, "'Too Soft’: America’s Failure to Learn from Germany in Iraq ," which was published on April 5.

Nick sat down with Czech Ambassador to the United States Miloslav Sta?ek for a geographically wide-ranging conversation that moved from Munich to the Middle East to the Texas automotive industry.?

Last Thursday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell hinted that AUKUS could soon be expanded to include additional countries. Zack Cooper joined the WarCast to discuss what countries might be next and what the expansion of AUKUS could mean.