Geopolitics: May 2022

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Shephard Media: "Polaris broadens use cases for tracked MRZR Alpha"

"Polaris broadens use cases for tracked MRZR Alpha"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Land Warfare

Shephard Media

31 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/polaris-broadens-use-cases-for-tracked-mrzr-alpha/

The design of the tracked version of the MRZR Alpha vehicle, originally intended for Arctic mobility, has been refined to cope with soft soil and mixed terrain.

Orders are in place and Polaris Government and Defense has begun production of a new tracked variant of the MRZR Alpha, with deliveries to begin in Q2 2022 of two- and four-seater configurations, company representatives explained to Shephard during the recent Modern Day Marine (MDM) exhibition in Washington DC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Shephard Media: "SAIC continues tests of ‘quarterback-style’ ARV"

"SAIC continues tests of ‘quarterback-style’ ARV"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Land Warfare

Shephard Media

25 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/saic-continues-tests-of-quarterback-style-arv/

SAIC is carrying on with data collection as its Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle demonstrator undergoes trials.

Tests will continue of an Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) technology demonstrator built by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), company representatives have told Shephard.

Monday, May 23, 2022

Shephard Media: AM General sheds light on Humvee Saber

"AM General sheds light on Humvee Saber"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Land Warfare

Shephard Media

20 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/am-general-sheds-light-on-humvee-saber/

AM General expects to complete work on a new lightweight Humvee tactical vehicle prototype by Q3 this year.

Shephard learned during the Modern Day Marine exhibition in Washington DC on 10-12 May that AM General aims to have a working prototype of its new Humvee Saber light tactical vehicle ready by Q3 2022.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Journal: A roadmap to make Peru a regional power in Latin America

"A roadmap to make Peru a regional power in Latin America"

"Una hoja de ruta para transformar a Perú en una potencia de Latinoamérica"

Wilder Alejandro Sánchez

Cuadernos Iberoamericanos

Vol.9, No. 4 (2021

Publicado: https://www.iberpapers.org/jour?locale=en_US

Shephard Media: "Whiskey Project scouts for more clients"

"Whiskey Project scouts for more clients"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Shephard Media

19 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/whiskey-project-scouts-for-clients/

The Alpha MMRC is being delivered to the Australian Defence Force but its developer Whiskey Project Group is interested in generating further interest.

The Australia-based Whiskey Project Group displayed its multi-mission reconnaissance craft (MMRC) Alpha at the Modern Day Marine (MDM) exhibition in Washington DC on 10-12 May.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Shephard Media: Echoshield 4D radar addresses C-UAS demands

"Echoshield 4D radar addresses C-UAS demands"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Land Warfare

Shephard Media

18 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/echoshield-4d-radar-addresses-c-uas-demands/

Several DoD and overseas customers have already pre-purchased the EchoShield 4D C-UAS radar ahead of testing, according to manufacturer Echodyne.

Echodyne has developed a new multi-mission cognitive 4D radar called EchoShield, which is undergoing field testing before Block I production is scheduled to begin towards the end of 2022.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Shephard Media: DoD orders quadcopters with ‘Swiss Army knife’ operating system

"DoD orders quadcopters with ‘Swiss Army knife’ operating system"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Uncrewed Vehicles

Shephard Media

17 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/dod-orders-quadcopters-with-swiss-army-knife-operating-system/

Wolverine UAVs ordered by the DoD are designed to be fully GPS-resilient for use in urban warfare scenarios.

XTEND announced during the Modern Day Marine (MDM) exhibition in Washington DC on 10-12 May that it is to supply hundreds of Wolverine quadcopter UAVs to the DoD.

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Cited in: Казахстан «дистанцируется» от России, шагая «по острию бритвы»

"Казахстан «дистанцируется» от России, шагая «по острию бритвы»

Radio Liberty/Free Europe

14 May 2022

Originally published: https://rus.azattyq.org/a/review-kazakhstan-distancing-from-putins-offensive-in-ukraine/31849271.html

ПОЧЕМУ КАЗАХСТАН ОТКАЗАЛСЯ ОТ ВОЕННОГО ПАРАДА В ДЕНЬ ПОБЕДЫ?

О попытке Казахстана дистанцироваться от российской агрессии говорится и в статье, опубликованной на сайте американского исследовательского института Аtlantic Council. Директор консалтинговой компании Second Floor Strategies Уайлдер Алехандро Санчес и исследователь Центральной Азии Камила Ауэзова пишут о том, что стоит за отказом Казахстана проводить военный парад 9 мая.

После российского вторжения в Украину празднование Дня Победы 9 мая приобрело дополнительный символический смысл. Праздник, посвященный победе Советского Союза над нацистской Германией, стал центральным элементом национальной идентичности современной России, но отношение к нему в других странах бывшего СССР зачастую более тонкое и отражает сложную динамику постимперских отношений с Москвой. «Для Казахстана отказ от празднования Дня Победы стал способом дистанцироваться от российской агрессии», — отмечают авторы.

Cited in: "Putin humiliation: Losing allies 'in own backyard' as Kazakhstan cancels Victory Day"

"Putin humiliation: Losing allies 'in own backyard' as Kazakhstan cancels Victory Day"

By: Catherine Meyer-Funnell

Express

12 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1609027/Putin-humiliation-russia-ukraine-war-kazakhstan-cancels-victory-day-parade-ont

"The Atlantic Council described this statement as “meaningful” coming from a senior Kazakhstani official while in the US."

Friday, May 13, 2022

Shephard Media: SMASH family welcomes its newest member

"SMASH family welcomes its newest member"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Land Warfare

Shephard Media

13 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/smash-family-welcomes-its-newest-member/

Smart Shooter displayed its SMASH 2000L fire-control system at Modern Day Marine 2022.

Israel-headquartered Smart Shooter used the Modern Day Marine exhibition in Washington DC on 10-12 May to showcase a new addition to its family of SMASH fire-control systems for small arms.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Shephard Media: ReconRobotics aims to broaden Throwbot 2 capabilities

"ReconRobotics aims to broaden Throwbot 2 capabilities"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Uncrewed Vehicles

Shephard Media

12 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/reconrobotics-aims-to-expand-throwbot-2-capabilities/

Plans are in place to expand the capabilities of the Throwbot 2 UGV to transport additional payloads.

ReconRobotics displayed its Throwbot 2 (TB2) UGV at the Modern Day Marine (MDM) exhibition in Washington DC on 10-12 May.

The Diplomat: The Trans-Caspian Corridor: Kazakhstan’s Silk Road?

"The Trans-Caspian Corridor: Kazakhstan’s Silk Road?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Kamila Auyezova

Crossroads Asia

The Diplomat

12 May, 2022

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2022/05/the-trans-caspian-corridor-kazakhstans-silk-road/

Kazakhstan and the Caucasus nations are looking at the Trans-Caspian transportation corridor with renewed vigor given the war in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is having drastic consequences on global geopolitics. Even more, international sanctions against the Russian government are also affecting Russia’s neighbors. Countries that traditionally rely on Russia as a transportation corridor for goods to reach the European market are now looking for alternatives. This is the case for Kazakhstan. Nur-Sultan is now turning to the Caucasus not only to solidify friendships and partnerships but also to support the Trans-Caspian corridor, which has not yet reached its full potential.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

International Policy Digest: Russian Disinformation in 2022: Following the Historical Blueprint

"Russian Disinformation in 2022: Following the Historical Blueprint"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

World News

International Policy Digest

11 May, 2022

Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/russian-disinformation-in-2022-following-the-historical-blueprint/

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, battles are not fought just on the physical battlefield but also online via disinformation campaigns. A key fact to keep in mind is that Russian-sponsored disinformation campaigns have not been solely focused on Ukraine in recent years, other post-Soviet states have also been targeted.

Lies and threats

By now the justifications for the Russian invasion of Ukraine are well known. Moscow argues that this special military operation is to “denazify” and remove “extremist” elements from Ukraine that threaten the Fatherland. Russian TV channels have stressed not only constant victories on the ground but also how Ukrainians are supposedly welcoming Russian forces as liberators, while also arguing that the atrocities committed in Bucha are “fake.” Maintaining the support of the Russian population is an obvious priority for the Kremlin, hence facts are either denied or twisted.

Atlantic Council: Kazakhstan cancels Victory Day in protest over Putin’s Ukraine War

"Kazakhstan cancels Victory Day in protest over Putin’s Ukraine War"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Kamila Auyezova

UkraineAlert

Atlantic Council

11 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/kazakhstan-cancels-victory-day-in-protest-over-putins-ukraine-war/

With Russia currently waging war in Ukraine, traditional Victory Day events on May 9 took on added symbolic significance. This holiday marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany has become central to modern Russia’s national identity, but attitudes elsewhere in the former USSR are often more nuanced and reflect the complex dynamics of post-imperial relations with Moscow. For Kazakhstan, refusal to join this year’s Victory Day celebrations was a subtle way of distancing the country from Russia’s aggressive actions.

Friday, May 6, 2022

Regional Insights: The 21st Century Latin American Military: Climate Change and the Future of HA/DR Operations

"The 21st Century Latin American Military: Climate Change and the Future of HA/DR Operations"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Regional Insights No. 2/ April 2022

April 2022

William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

National Defense University

Originally published: https://www.williamjperrycenter.org/content/21st-century-latin-american-military-climate-change-and-future-hadr-operations

Shephard Media: Brazil acquires ex-commercial jets for multirole conversion

"Brazil acquires ex-commercial jets for multirole conversion"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare

Shephard Media

5 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/brazil-acquires-ex-commercial-jets-for-multirole-conversion/

Brazilian Air Force signs contract to convert two A330 airliners into tanker/transport configuration.

Thursday, May 5, 2022

CIMSEC: Brazilian Navy Participates in Exercise Obangame Express 2022

"Brazilian Navy Participates in Exercise Obangame Express 2022"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Southern Tide

Center for International Maritime Security

05 May, 2022

Originally published: https://cimsec.org/brazilian-navy-participates-in-exercise-obangame-express-2022/

Exercise Obangame Express 2022, the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western Africa, concluded its 11th iteration in Dakar, Senegal, on March 18. A total of 32 nations participated, including regional countries like Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, extra-regional nations like France and the United States, and multinational agencies including the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States.

One extra-continental participant was the Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil), via oceanic patrol vessel (OPV) Amazonas (P120). Brazil’s participation is neither an oddity nor a development that should be overlooked in Washington; the Brazilian military, particularly the navy, has a long history of close relations with many African militaries to increase the Portuguese-speaking nation’s presence and image across the South Atlantic, as well as strengthen military-to-military relations.

Monday, May 2, 2022

Geopolitical Monitor: Azerbaijan’s Delicate Balancing Act amid the Ukraine War

"Azerbaijan’s Delicate Balancing Act amid the Ukraine War"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

2 May, 2022

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/azerbaijans-delicate-balancing-act-amid-the-ukraine-war/

Post-Soviet countries have come under scrutiny over their policies regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) and Moldova have taken clear anti-Moscow stances, with Chisinau even going as far as applying for European Union membership; on the other hand, Belarus has been very clear in its support of the invasion. As for the governments across the Caucasus and Central Asia, they have taken more cautious approaches. One good example situation is Azerbaijan, as Baku has generally maintained cordial and strong relations with Moscow, while at the same time taking subtle steps to assist Ukraine.