Wild Blue Yonder

March 28, 2022
The Quality of Mercy: Morality and the Interest of the State

Immoral behavior is neither the only nor the most effective means for a ruler or state to achieve their best interests. Based on the following analysis of Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War, given equivalent circumstances, a state that has the ability to act mercifully is better equipped to
March 24, 2022
"Backing into the Future"

Whether facing or backing, I am certain the future exists and it, at some point, will collide with our reality. We can either prepare for it or be surprised when it arrives. I prefer the former.
March 18, 2022
Wild Blue Yonder on the Air - Ep. 13 - Colonel Karey Dufour (ret.) on Medical Services in a Constrained or Denied Environment (MSCODE)

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency.Dr. Margaret Sankey: Welcome to Wild
March 14, 2022
Air Operations Center Evolution: A Roadmap for Progress

The AOC is how today’s Air Force fights at the operational level, and it works—today. But it needs to evolve if it is to be relevant in the next fight.
March 10, 2022
Posturing Through Partnership: Airpower Imperatives for the Indo-Pacific Gray Zone

To successfully compete in the gray zone with China and guarantee a free and open region, USINDOPACOM must manage the risk of escalation with Beijing while undertaking airpower imperatives that enhance the regional posture of the USAF and strengthen airpower capacity among Oceana, Southeast, and
March 8, 2022
The Case for A.C.E Infrastructure in EUCOM

An examination of three critical categories of infrastructure including airfields and force employment, ground support, and communications architecture demonstrates that utilizing existing Joint and Allied airfields and support capabilities, maximizing prepositioned stocks, and leveraging
March 1, 2022
Putin’s Deterrence Playbook: US Ideas on Display?

From integrated deterrence to conventional-nuclear integration (CNI), the United States has put forward ideas on how to practice deterrence in the era of strategic competition. Those concepts are now being executed by Putin and the US would be wise to take notes on how the Russian President
Feb. 25, 2022
Putinstances: What Do the Olympics Mean to Putin?

Putin structures domestic stability through systematic power consolidation and challenges global stability through acts of entropy, with a curious pattern of significance around Olympic competitions. As Russian forces concentrate on the Ukrainian border disguised as an exercise with a backdrop of
Feb. 24, 2022
The Role of Germany and France in the Negotiations of the Donbass Conflict in Eastern Ukraine

Since the start of the conflict in 2014, various methods have been discussed and tried, such as economic sanctions, mediation, negotiation, civil society engagement at the grassroot level, and changing institutional arrangements, along with a combination of these methods. The European preference has
Feb. 24, 2022
The Enemy of My Enemy: What China Will Learn from the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

As a strategic competitor, China is carefully watching how the US responds to the Russia-Ukraine crisis to guide future efforts employing diplomatic, information, and economic, instruments of power. Diplomatically, China will determine the strength of US resolve to support Ukraine, as it may