Maxwell School News and Commentary
Filtered by: Defense & Security
McFate Weighs In on US Developing Portable Laser Weapons in South China Morning Post Article
“Everyone wants light and portable laser weapons but it’s far off. Essentially, you also need a portable power plant, which is unrealistic…Lasers are more hype than reality, and the U.S. is investing US$1 billion a year to bridge this gap. However, it may go on for years,” says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.
See related: China, Defense & Security, International Affairs
Campbell Article on the Sudanese Revolution Published in CounterPunch
"Progressive forces internationally must call for the arrest and trial of the military forces that have unleashed genocidal violence on the Sudanese peoples since 1989," writes Horace Campbell, professor of political science. "The Resistance Committees’ and the popular forces are calling for solidarity and non-intervention to push the process of transition from militarism to one where the peoples of Sudan can enter into new relations."
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Middle East & North Africa
Murrett Talks to Newsweek About the Legacy of the Sinking of Russia's Black Sea Flagship, the Moskva
The visibility of losing their flagship for an entire fleet inevitably attracted attention, says retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. It proved that any and all Russian vessels approaching Ukraine's littoral waters were under threat, he adds.
See related: Conflict, Defense & Security, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine
McFate Comments on China’s Military Capabilities in South China Morning Post Article
Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs, says China is far from being able to take the island. “China’s military is not ready to take Taiwan, which is why Xi Jinping ordered the military to be ready to take Taiwan by 2027, if told to do so,” he says.
See related: China, Conflict, East Asia, International Affairs
Murrett Discusses China’s Taiwan-Targeted Military Drills in Politico Article
That show of force was as much for “domestic consumption inside China” as it was for Taiwan, says retired Vice Adm. Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. And the scale and intensity of the drills “were calibrated very, very carefully,” to minimize threat perceptions, he says.
See related: China, Conflict, East Asia, Government, International Affairs
Maxwell-in-Washington Graduate Student Mario Marquez Joins in Call to Repeal War Authority in Iraq
The Iraq War veteran is director of national security for The American Legion and is pursing an executive master’s in international relations degree.
Taylor Quoted in Vox Article on Russian Paramilitary Network the Wagner Group
“Wagner was a very useful stopgap in that period between when [Russia] had so many of their regular forces attrited and Putin came around to the realization that he had no choice but to bring in hundreds of thousands of more people. That may, in some sense, prove to be that Wagner is at its sort of height of influence,” says Brian Taylor, professor of political science.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine
McFate Speaks With Newsweek About the Exodus of Wagner Group Soldiers
"Most of the old guard have sought to remain in places like Mali, or in Africa, away from the Ukraine fight, because the guys I talked to before the invasion were not supportive of the invasion," says Sean McFate, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine
Putin’s War of Recolonization
"Putin’s War of Recolonization," co-authored by Maxwell professors Renée de Nevers and Brian Taylor, was published in the Journal of Democracy.
See related: Conflict, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine
Murrett Discusses the Putin-Xi Moscow Summit with the Associated Press, Daily Mail
The Moscow summit has the effect of underscoring and reinforcing the status of “Russia as a junior partner with China—economically, militarily and diplomatically,” Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, tells the Associated Press.
See related: China, Conflict, Government, International Affairs, Russia, Ukraine