Category: Magazine

New security policy constellation in East Asia: Japan takes centre stage

One of the most significant developments in the Western Pacific is Tokyo's emerging rapprochement with Seoul and Manila in terms of security policy. Even after almost 80 years, the resentment from the Second World War and the decades before is still very much alive in East Asia. This is particularly pronounced in South Korea and the Philippines, where many people still harbour negative attitudes towards Japan and the dispute over war-related reparations payments continues. This circumstance has also characterised the security policy relations between these countries to date. However, the dual threat from China and North Korea has recently led to a rethink. There is a growing realisation that the time has come...

Weiterlesen

US Navy: Ballistic Missile Defence for Israel

During the massive Iranian attack on Israel on the night of 13 to 14 April 2024 with around 170 drones, 120 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles, it was not only the Israeli Iron Dome air defence system that proved its effectiveness. Allies and neighbouring states have also intervened to support the fight. These included the two US destroyers ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) and CARNEY (DDG 64), which operated long-range ballistic missile defence (BMD) in the eastern Mediterranean for the first time. The CARNEY had already been deployed for a month as one of the US reinforcements for Operation Prosperity Guardian in the...

Weiterlesen

Calling challenges by name

For almost a decade, the Baltic Commanders' Conference has provided a platform for western Baltic Sea neighbours to exchange experiences. The aim is also to jointly implement projects. Kiel-Wik naval base, middle of the last decade. Two flag officers, both former speedboat drivers and therefore at home in the Baltic Sea, one commander of the fleet, the other flotilla commander, stand in the staff building of Flotilla 1 and look out over the berths at the base. There are far too few boats to practise demanding scenarios on their own in addition to their ongoing duties. Too little capacity to organise complex, multi-dimensional training projects. Admittedly, this is not a fundamentally new...

Weiterlesen

Innovation driver for naval warfare

This year's Baltops manoeuvre took place in the Baltic Sea in June. This was the first time that the German Navy led a naval unit with multinational participation as a Commander Task Force. After two intensive weeks, the 53rd edition of the Baltic Operations manoeuvre, Baltops for short, came to an end on 20 June. This is the most important and largest multinational maritime military exercise in the Baltic Sea region. This year's exercise was a prime example of the close military and security co-operation between Germany and its NATO allies. Under the leadership of the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the 6th Fleet of the US Navy, 20 nations demonstrated together with the new NATO members...

Weiterlesen

Germany's nuclear ship

The OTTO HAHN was launched 60 years ago. The much-noticed ship was powered by a nuclear reactor. Germany has phased out nuclear power. The issue seems to have been put to bed. A different mood prevailed in the 1950s, when the Federal Republic was still young. The USA and the Soviet Union faced each other as nuclear powers, while at the same time US President Dwight D. Eisenhower had invoked the peaceful use of nuclear power in a famous speech. This zeitgeist also reached Germany, according to cultural scientist Katharina Bothe: "Nuclear energy was to be the technology of the future." CSU politician Franz Josef Strauß headed the newly founded Federal Ministry for Nuclear Affairs, and money flowed into the...

Weiterlesen
en_GBEnglish