Christian Baghai

  The F-35 Lightning II is one of the most controversial and misunderstood military aircraft in history. Often criticized as a failed and overpriced project that resulted in an inferior fighter jet compared to the F-22 or other competitors, the F-35 is actually a remarkable achievement of engineering and innovation that is transforming the way wars are fought and won. In this blog post, I will challenge the common perception of the F-35 and show why it is not a myth, but a reality that is already changing the face of modern warfare and that will continue to evolve and improve in the future. The F-35: A Family of Aircraft One of the main sources of confusion and criticism about the F-35 is the assumption that it is a single aircraft that tries to do everything for everyone. This is not true. The F-35 is actually a family of aircraft that share a common design and technology, but have different variants and capabilities for different missions and environments. The F-35 program is the...

  AWACS aircraft are among the most important assets in modern warfare. They provide a comprehensive situational awareness of the battlefield, enabling friendly forces to coordinate their actions and gain an edge over the enemy. AWACS aircraft can detect and track targets in the air, on the ground, and at sea, using their powerful radar and other sensors. They can also act as airborne command posts, directing the movements and engagements of fighters, bombers, helicopters, and other assets. However, AWACS aircraft are not without drawbacks.  They are large, slow, and conspicuous, making them easy targets for enemy fighters and missiles .  They rely on complex and expensive systems that require constant maintenance and upgrades .  They also consume a lot of fuel and manpower, limiting their operational endurance and availability .  Moreover, AWACS aircraft operate in a contested and dynamic environment, where they face threats from advanced air defenses, electron...

  The space sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the digital revolution and the emergence of new actors, technologies, and business models. This phenomenon, known as “New Space”, poses both challenges and opportunities for the European Union (EU), which has been a historical leader in space activities. What is New Space? New Space is a term that describes the changing dynamics of the space ecosystem, which is no longer dominated by nation states and public agencies, but increasingly influenced by private companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators.  New Space actors use new methods such as increased use of private financing, faster production and decision-making cycles, and a rebalancing of priorities between the designer and client . New Space also encompasses new technologies, such as reusable launchers, small satellites, constellations, on-orbit servicing, and space tourism, as well as new markets, such as broadband internet, Earth observation, navigation,...

  Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, has been a key asset for Russia’s geopolitical ambitions, but is now becoming a liability due to internal and external pressures. The strategic importance of Kaliningrad Kaliningrad is a small outcropping of land between Lithuania and Poland, separated from the rest of Russia by NATO allies. It was formerly part of Germany, known as Königsberg, until it was annexed by the Soviet Union after World War II and renamed after Mikhail Kalinin, a Bolshevik leader. Kaliningrad hosts Russia’s Baltic Fleet and nuclear missiles that can reach most of Europe. It also holds the key to the Suwalki Gap, a narrow strip of land that connects the Baltic States to NATO. This gives Russia a strategic advantage in the region, as it can project power, deter aggression, and threaten its adversaries. How Kaliningrad helped Russia invade Ukraine In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, but faced a strong resistance and a potential NATO intervention. Russia used K...

  The Red Sea is a vital waterway for global trade and security, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. It is also a hotspot of conflict and instability, where Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been launching attacks on commercial and military vessels since November 2023, in response to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The U.S. Navy, along with its allies, has been trying to protect the shipping lanes and deter further aggression, but it faces a formidable challenge from the Houthis and their Iranian backers, who have been supplying them with drones and missiles. The U.S. Navy also has to contend with the rising power and ambition of China, which has been developing a large and diverse missile arsenal that could threaten the U.S. Navy’s dominance in the region and beyond. How well is the U.S. Navy prepared for these threats, and what does it need to do to adapt and innovate? The Houthi Challenge The Houthis are a Shiite rebel group that has been fighting the Saudi-led co...

  Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the practice of collecting and analyzing information from publicly available sources, such as social media platforms, blogs, forums, news outlets, and more. OSINT can be used for various purposes, such as security, marketing, journalism, investigation, and research. Social media platforms are especially rich sources of OSINT, as they contain billions of user-generated posts, comments, likes, shares, and other interactions. However, manually sifting through all this data can be time-consuming and inefficient. That’s why OSINT analysts need to use specialized tools that can automate and enhance their social media intelligence (SOCMINT) efforts. In this blog post, we will introduce some of the best OSINT tools for social media analysis, and how they can help you gather valuable insights from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more. Namechk and Sherlock: Find User Profiles Across Platforms One of the first steps in OSINT wor...