In The News

Steven Wills says on a recent episode of CNA Talks Podcast, "One can argue that Kaliningrad is sort of a fortress sitting on the Baltic, with lots of cruise missiles and other weaponry, so it remains threatening."

Samuel Bendett says that the “Russians are very concerned that Ukrainians have the advantage” when it comes to the FPV drones, worried that a large number will be used to support a Ukrainian counteroffensive, and that Moscow may not have enough pilots or technological know-how to keep up.

Michael Kofman says that supplying Ukraine with enough equipment to hold off a Russian offensive is one thing. It's another for allies to be able to provide enough equipment "to attain a decisive advantage over Russian forces."

Samuel Bendett says, “Ukraine is a unique battle space right now with so many technologies getting tested, getting evaluated, getting used. Both from the military official channels and organically through the help of volunteers and soldiers themselves.”

Michael Kofman says, “Whether these documents are authentic or not, people should take care with anything released by Russian sources.”

Ken Gause says, “That [report] basically undermines any chance of inter-Korean dialogue for the foreseeable future. It definitely does not help the tensions on the peninsula. … If anything, North Korea’s going to accelerate its nuclear program.”

Jeremy Sepinsky says, “Winning is the wrong way to look at wargaming. If you win a war game, you have discovered one potential way of success among an infinite number of choices that all must follow that exact alignment for your success to be realized.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Essentially, the CUAS [counter-unmanned aerial systems] costs have to be driven down to the most cost-effective and workable solution — which the Ukrainians note is a mobile gun truck capable of taking out Shaheds.”

Samuel Bendett says that the U.S. has primarily sent existing technology. It was unclear whether the U.S. had ever sent a weapon that was created from scratch for use specifically in Ukraine.

David Broyles [at the Sea-Air-Space conference] said, “At the end of the day we have engineers and programmers building these systems. What do they do when they are designing the systems” to match the mission and goals?

Michael Kofman says, “Over time it could make the situation in Crimea untenable, such that Russia might have to negotiate over its status,”

Samuel Bendett says that the AI-enabled Marker combat robot was developed to replace fighters in dangerous missions and to make these operations more effective.

Ken Gause says "There is a part of running North Korea that is very cutthroat."

Samuel Bendett says the Shahed is being used in Ukraine at much shorter ranges. That's because its GPS guidance system - which is vulnerable to jamming - isn't very robust.

Jeffrey Edmonds says, "But when it comes to tanks, practicality is only part of the equation. One of their key capabilities, is the psychological impact they have on the enemy, known as the "shock effect.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia's different acquisition and supply chain pipelines were also well documented last year and this year, while NVIDIA has had a long-term presence in the Russian high-tech ecosystem for years.”