- With France's sale of Mistral-Class amphibious warfare ships set to go ahead despite the collapse in Europe-Russia relations, could NATO serve as an alternate buyer?
- Al Jazeera has an impressive infographic showing the evolving framing of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on social media.
- With Washington stepping up its operations against the Islamic State, it's worth exploring the broader economic and consular interests that have further enmeshed the US in Kurdistan.
- Max Fisher argues that the US decision to launch strikes against IS following its recent surge towards Kurdistan demonstrates the bankruptcy of a decade's worth of strategy reliant on arms transfers and capacity building.
- Meanwhile, with the era of endless domestic largesse behind it, the US defence industry is looking to seriously increase its international sales — with Washington's assistance.
- South Korea decision to send a destroyer to evacuate its nationals from Libya provides another data point on Seoul's growing naval power projection capabilities.
- Evidence has emerged that the Nigerian army may be involved in the mass killing of suspected members of militant group Boko Haram.
- Nick Bisley continues an excellent debate over at The Strategist on China's future relationship to the regional order in Asia. Key quote:
As China grows, and it will for at least another decade, its sense of frustration won't abate and it may grow. Xi Jinping is the strongest and most nationalistic president China has had since Mao. It's inconceivable that during his leadership China will suddenly have a Damascene conversion to the delights of US primacy. As a result China will continue to resent structures it believes are stacked against it, it'll continue to develop alternatives, and it'll continue to test the order in carefully calculated ways.
- Finally, War on the Rocks has a great piece on the role of the Royal Navy in shaping modern drinking culture.
