A few blogs to keep an eye on what’s going on in the world

Abu Muqawama: At the Centre for a New American Security, Abu Muqawama is an observer of small wars and insurgencies as well as regional issues in the Middle East. He also blogs on US involvement in that region and US strategy and defence and security policy in general.

Aeroplans: Site spécialisé dans l’aéronautique, l’intelligence économique, le programme spatial européen, et la stratégie. Présentation des enjeux stratégique des compagnies aériennes et des entreprises de l’industrie aéronautique et spatiale.

Arms Control Wonk: A small group of people blogging on arms control, nuclear non-proliferation, and disarmament from a political, strategic, and (sometimes) technical perspective. Also has a fair number of guest bloggers to mix it up.

Broadsword: A former Indian army officer turned defence journalist, Ajai Shukla focuses his blog on exclusively Indian defence issues – political, industrial, as well as strategic. He also comments on military developments around the world as they affect India’s defence and security strategy.

China Beat: Largely a group of University of California, Irvine based historians of China providing analysis of contemporary issues in their historical context. A great feature of this site is the reading list it provides for budding China scholars. Occasional guest blogs from other China watchers of equal weight.

European Geostrategy: A group of bloggers analysing European foreign and defence policy; committed to keeping Europe relevant in the 21st century. An excellent resource for European policy institutions and news from Europe. Part of the Ideas on Europe initiative.

A Fistful of Euros: A commentary on the economy of various European countries as well as European economy and economic policy. Also hosts a great collection of links on Europe-related topics ranging from (other than economics) culture and politics, to law.

Ghosts of Alexander: An excellent blog on an area of the world that has confounded everyone, from Alexander to the Soviets – Central Asia and Afghanistan. Discussions cover politics, history, culture, society, government and conflict. Offers a bibliography on Afghanistan guaranteed to make you an expert!

Hegemonic Obsessions: Analysis of US foreign policy and security, challenging the notion that “every corner of the world is of vital U.S. national security interest and thus require an activist foreign policy.” Not as quick on immediate issues in the news but more thoughtful.

Idaho Samizdat – Nuclear Notes: As the title suggests, a blog on all things nuclear. Maintained by a nuclear energy professional, the site discusses political, economic, and technical issues that touch upon nuclear energy or proliferation and is global in scope. Suggests a brief non-technical reading list for the uninitiated.

Ivanov Report: Eugene Ivanov keeps a close watch on the Kremlin and its domains through this blog. Detailed analysis of Russia’s domestic politics and figures (based on Russian language sources) primarily, but also United States’ Russia policy and Russia’s rising neighbours.

Jihadology: Not a jihadist himself (author’s claim!), the writer is interested in (and therefore blogs on) Islamic intellectual history, the idea of ijtihad (my term, not his), and the Middle East, particularly Tunisia and Yemen. His research/blogging interests also include “online jihadism.”

Kings of War: King’s College, London, faculty opining under seven banners: Alanbrooke (British national security and defense), Clausewitz (strategic theory), Galula (counterinsurgency), Grant (American grand strategy), Mao (insurgency and terrorism), Thucydides (history), and Turing, (virtual dimension of conflict).

Registan: A group of bloggers covering domestic politics, social issues, and foreign relations of the former Soviet republics in Central Asia and the Caucasus as well as Afghanistan. Articles largely from the local perspective, not usually covered by foreign media.

Rethinking Security: Adam Elkus, a specialist in foreign policy and security, “examines the challenges and continuities between the past, present, and future dimensions of modern national security and military theory.” Articles are usually theoretical, although perhaps of immediate concern to the US.

Raji’s Indian Security Page: Perhaps a tad unimaginatively named, but offers a good view of Indian foreign, security, and defence policies as they are shaped by the United States, China, and Japan. Analysis of how Indian strategy can contribute to a global security commons.

Slouching Towards Columbia: The title probably a play on WB Yeats’ The Second Coming, an excellent blog with well-articulated pieces on conflict, geopolitics, strategy, and political theory. Questions raised are relevant mainly to the United States (or any superpower-in-being).

Sublime Oblivion: A self-confessed Russian realpolitiker and bezstranets blogging about Russia’s domestic scene and economy (particularly oil) as well as its interaction with the the United States and Europe as Russia becomes important again in world affairs.

Swaminomics: Largely India-centric blog of Swaminathan Sankar Anklesaria Aiyar – free marketeer, social investor, scholar, consultant, editor, journalist, and observer of international economics. Swami, as he is generally known, also discusses social issues as they relate to economic policy.

Ultima Ratio: Ultima Ratio (regum), une expression latine se référant à l’acte de déclarer la guerre. Elle était l’expression favorite du cardinal de Richelieu, et Louis XIV reprit cette formule à son compte et la fit graver sur ses canons. Pas surprenant, un blog sur les questions de défense et de sécurité de la France.

Usual Suspects: Blog of Swapan Dasgupta, a PhD from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and one of India’s few classic liberal journalists. Coverage is largely India’s domestic scene, but occasional posts on foreign policy.