Debating war, peace, foreign policy, defense, economics, and more in pursuit of America's interests. It is about American interests. This has been disastrous.
Over almost three decades, The National Interest, founded in 1985 by Irving Kristol and Owen Harries, has displayed a remarkable consistency in its approach to foreign policy. It is not, as the inaugural statement declared, about world affairs. It is guided by the belief that nothing will enhance those interests as effectively as the approach to foreign affairs commonly known as realism—a school o
f thought traditionally associated with such thinkers and statesmen as Disraeli, Bismarck, and Henry Kissinger. Though the shape of international politics has changed considerably in the past few decades, the magazine’s fundamental tenets have not. Instead, they have proven enduring and, indeed, appear to be enjoying something of a popular renaissance. Until recently, however, liberal hawks and neoconservatives have successfully attempted to stifle debate by arguing that prudence about the use of American power abroad was imprudent—by, in short, disparaging realism as a moribund doctrine that is wholly inimical to American idealism. After the Bush administration’s failure to discover weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it became abundantly clear that the lack of a debate in Washington was part and parcel of a larger foreign policy failing, which was the refusal to ponder the larger implications and consequences of the promiscuous use of American power abroad. A reflexive substitution of military might for diplomacy, of bellicose rhetoric for attainable aspirations, dramatically weakened rather than strengthened America’s standing around the globe. But today, as Russia, China, and Iran assess and act upon their own perceived national interests, Washington must attempt to understand those nations as they understand themselves. This is why a return to realism has seldom been more imperative. It is notions of interdependence, the end of sovereignty, and the inutility of power that have all proven wanting in the past decade. International relations was not reinvented in 1989. While it may be an old foreign policy concept, the notion of a national interest is not an antiquarian one. On the contrary, it has never possessed more relevance than now. What actually constitutes true realism is, of course, an appropriate source of controversy. And so, on both its web site and in its print edition, The National Interest seeks to promote, as far as possible, a fresh debate about the course of American foreign policy by featuring a variety of leading authors from government, journalism, and academia, many of whom may at times disagree with each other. But it is only out of such disagreements that dogmas can be dispelled and clarity about America’s proper aims achieved. By contributing a vital stimulus towards fashioning a new foreign policy consensus based on civil and enlightened contention, The National Interest seeks to serve this country’s wider national interest.
Russia's lone aircraft carrier has been under maintenance since 2017, without a return date set.
The Russian Navy's Admiral Kuznetsov has been so problematic that some observers have suggested Russia abstain from making aircraft carriers in the future.
Perhaps the most significant criticism of the F-15EX may be its cost.
Perhaps the most significant criticism of the F-15EX may be its cost. Boeing touted it as a cost-effective option to replace the F-15 Eagle, but now it seems that may not be the case. The Eagle II could be more expensive than the F-35 Lightning II.
The Project 670 Skat was a Soviet nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine.
The Charlie-Class submarines have a tragic past as one of these vessels had a tragic accident that is remembered to this day.
The USS Saratoga was designed to deter or defeat the Soviet Union in war.
The USS Saratoga (CVB-60) was the second carrier in the Forrestal-class to be constructed. She was designed to deter or defeat the Soviet Union in a war.
The first submarine Russia developed after the fall of the Soviet Union was the Project 955 Borei.
While the Borei-Class was designed to replace the preceding Russian SSBN Typhoon-class, the Borei-Class is notably smaller than its predecessors.
A Russian anti-tank solider was awarded 700,000 rubles for destroying the first Leopard 1A5 main battle tank.
A Russian anti-tank solider was recently awarded 700,000 rubles for destroying the first Leopard 1A5 main battle tank (MBT) in the course of the "special military operation" in the Kupyansk area, the Russian defense ministry told state media outlet Tass.
Experts have suggested that the U.S. Air Force needs 300 bombers to engage China in conflict.
Experts have suggested that the U.S. Air Force needs 300 bombers to engage China in a war – but yet, as the B-21 Raider comes online, the service may not afford to maintain its older B-1 and B-2s flying. Thus, the bomber fleet will get smaller before it gets bigger.
The USS Gerald R. Ford isn't just the largest warship ever built. It's also the most expensive.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the lead vessel of a new class of nuclear-powered carriers that will begin to replace the Cold War-era Nimitz-class on a one-for-one basis over the next several decades, isn't just the largest warship ever built – it is also the most expensive.
How does Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stack up to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor?
The Su-57's first flight only took place two years before the last F-22 was produced. Thus, it is a newer aircraft but features many design similarities.
The Ryan X-13 Vertijet was small and weighed only 7,200 pounds.
The Ryan X-13 Vertijet was small and weighed only 7,200 pounds. It would win no speed records, as this aircraft could only do 350 miles per hour. A Rolls Royse Avon engine gave it 10,000 pounds of thrust with a short ceiling of 20,000 feet.
The F-22 is faster than the F-35.
The F-22 is faster than the F-35 – MACH 2.2 versus MACH 1.6 for the Lightning II. The F-22 is 30 percent heavier, but it may be more maneuverable due to its Pratt & Whitney F119 engines providing more thrust (70,000 pounds) than the single Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine on the F-35.
A lesser-known tactic in China's toolbox is the use of undersea mines.
A less well-known tactic in China’s toolbox is the use of undersea mines (perhaps as many as 100,000) to keep the U.S. Navy fleet guessing about where they can deploy safely without striking a mine.
The B-21 Raider stealth bomber is designed to ensure America can win a war against Russia, China, Iran and even North Korea.
The B-21 Raider stealth bomber is designed to ensure America can win a war against Russia, China, Iran and even North Korea.
Russia is building a 'new' supersonic bomber.
In July, the Kremlin announced that the upgraded Tupolev Tu-160M strategic bomber prototype had entered joint trials of the Russian Defense Ministry and the state-owned United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
During the Cold War, the U.S. Navy considered a number of submarine aircraft carriers or what many call a SubCarrier.
During the Cold War, the United States Navy also considered a number of submarine aircraft carriers or what many call a SubCarrier – including vessels that could carry small bombers for strategic nuclear strikes.
The National Interest is pleased to announce that Paul J. Saunders has been appointed president of our publisher, the Center for the National Interest. We look forward to working with him in promoting the voice of strategic realism in Washington, DC.
Read the full release: https://ow.ly/BrHc50QoVjK
The F-22 Raptor remains expensive to maintain.
Yes, the F-22 Raptor has been costly. It remains expensive to maintain. But the Air Force needs it as an option for air dominance and to pe*****te contested airspace.
In 1983, the USS Enterprise ran aground a mere 1,000 yards out from the shoreline.
As the world’s first nuclear-powered carrier, the USS Enterprise has a legendary connotation. The vessel’s predecessor, the USS Enterprise (CV-6), was the sixth aircraft carrier to enter service with the U.S. Navy, in 1936.
The J-20 is lauded as Beijing's best fighter.
The Pentagon should now plan for scenarios where an F-22 or F-35 would get in a dogfight with the J-20 in a potential conflict with China. The Mighty Dragon is a reality, and more are on the way.
Have you heard of the F-19 Stealth Fighter?
Have you heard of the F-19 Stealth Fighter? No, it’s not a new warplane from the United States, NATO, China, or Russia. The airplane exists on the video game platform Steam.
Once the Soviet Union collapsed, the U.S. Navy could no longer justify its massive budget concerning the California-class vessels.
Even though the California-class cruisers were nuclear-powered, which minimized expenditures for fueling the ships, the hefty costs associated with operating both California and South Carolina were debilitating.
Although the Virginia-class vessels are no longer in active service with the U.S. Navy today, the service still requires the function of cruisers.
Although the Virginia-class vessels are no longer in active service with the U.S. Navy today, the service still requires the function of cruisers.
Geographical challenges and a lack of resources minimized the USSR's ability to develop aircraft carriers.
Geographical challenges and a lack of resources minimized the USSR’s and, later, Russia's ability to develop aircraft carriers.
The annals of aviation history is littered with canceled projects.
The X-24C was to take the lessons learned during the X-15 and X-24B projects, with the expectation that the X-24C would be able to reach Mach 8 speeds and perform hypersonic skip-glide maneuvers for long-range missions.
During the 1980s, the U.S. Air Force trained U.S. pilots to handle enemy aircraft, namely Soviet MiGs.
Nicknamed the “Red Eagles,” the 4477th instructed USAF, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps pilots in the combat tactics necessary to defeat Soviet jets.
The Soviet-era MiG-17 fighter platform is perhaps best recognized for its role in the Vietnam War.
The Soviet-era MiG-17 fighter platform is perhaps best recognized for its role in the Vietnam War. In 1965, North Vietnamese pilots quietly approached a pair of American F-8E Crusader fighter bombers above the Than Hoa Bridge.
This stealth fighter demonstrator gave the F-22 a run for its money.
The YF-23 was a stealth fighter demonstrator that gave the F-22 a run for its money when both were tested for service in the U.S. Air Force and went head to head for a massive contract.
The Soviet Project 705 Lira marked the first time that titanium was used in the hull design of a submarine.
In 1971, the Soviets unveiled their Project 705 Lira submarine (NATO reporting name Alfa-Class). Project 705 was a nuclear-powered attack submarine notable for two things: the use of a titanium hull, and for being one of the fastest military submarines ever built.
The SR-71 achieved a record top speed of 2,193 mph.
The SR-71 achieved a record top speed of 2,193 mph – while other aircraft could reach such extreme speeds in theory – but would melt due to the atmospheric friction and heat – the Blackbird could maintain it for extended periods.
In 1938, Japan made plans to build the largest battleship ever.
Also known as the Super Yamato-class, the Design A-150 battleship program began in late 1938. As conceived by its designers, the warship was to be armed with at least six 510mm (20-inch) guns as well as dozens of smaller caliber weapons.
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