Avatar photoTime to Shift from the Post-Kabul Blues to the China Arms Control Challenge

Prophesy of the week: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.” – Isaiah, 5:12-21. At times like these, …

Avatar photoIt’s Always Cloudy in Novaya Zemlya

Jeffrey and his team fear no cloud. Working with Capella Space to acquire cloud-piercing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, the MIIS team has been monitoring eternally-cloudy Novaya Zemlya, Russia, for evidence of Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile tests. Evidence pointed to the Burevestnik test site being revived after the previous failures, and the team started utilizing radar returns …

Avatar photoThe Unipolar Moment Crashes and Burns in Kabul

Lyric of the week: “I wish that I knew what I know now When I was younger I wish that I knew what I know now When I was stronger” – “Ooh La La” by Rod Stewart and the Faces (with Ronnie Wood) Charles Krauthammer, the tribune of American power after the Soviet Union’s dissolution, …

Avatar photoWasted Opportunities with the JCPOA

Bad news abounds for Iranian and US returns to JCPOA compliance. Aaron and Jeffrey talk through the frustration around breakout time requirements, the timidity of the Biden administration, and the shortfalls of the wait-and-see approach.    Links of Note: The Economist article on OSINT, including Arms Control Wonk and the Slack channel, which is filled …