Two Russian Troops Killed in Shelling of Syrian Airfield

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that two military servicemen were killed during a shelling of a Syrian airfield on December 31 by militants according to the official news agency Tass. “On December 31, 2017, at nightfall, the Hmeymim airfield came under a sudden mortar fire from a mobile militant subversive group. Two military servicemen were […]

Ukraine SitRep 1/3/18

As the world moves on, Ukraine fights on as clashes in the east continue between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists. This year the nation has seen a surprising number of assassinations and attempts on prominent figures as well. Despite the proclaimed cease fires, the war still rages and both sides receive and hand out […]

US turns the tables on Russia, accusses them of violating Syrian de-confliction line

The United States turned the tables on Russia this week, accusing them of intentionally violating an agreement intended to maintain the peace between the two military powers over Syria. “Russia is failing to genuinely de-conflict airspace in Syria. Some of these incidents are not mistakes,” Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White told reporters on Monday. […]

Why North Korea succeeded at getting nuclear weapons — when Iraq and Libya failed

North Korea was considered too poor, authoritarian and vulnerable to succeed with its nuclear and missile programs. And yet Pyongyang has acquired advanced nuclear weapons capabilities — and, at the end of November, tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. Why has North Korea succeeded when other countries such as Iraq and Libya have failed? Three factors are central to North Korea’s success. This […]

Renewed US-Russia talks focus on POW/MIA issues

A U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) is making progress toward resolving unanswered questions on personnel missing and unaccounted-for from four separate wars. This positive development is evolving despite frayed nerves between these two nations over serious issues, from military involvement in Syria and the Ukraine, to politically-charged allegations of collusion and interfering with […]

North Korean defectors: A basic rundown

A nuclear scientist from North Korea recently committed suicide as he was deported from China back to North Korea, where he faced the severe punishment that awaits all defectors — to include the three-generation punishment system that not only involves him, but any spouses, children, siblings and parents too. Hyun Cheol Huh is one of many […]

Russia Threatens to Cut US Observation Flights IAW Open Skies Pact

Russia, which has never fully complied with the mutual observation flight agreement that was supposed to build trust between them and the U.S., is now threatening to cut the agreement and blaming Washington fully for the snafu. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it has informed Washington that after the U.S. had accused Russia […]

How a terror attack in St. Petersburg will help Putin’s reelection efforts

A bombing attack in Russia’s St. Petersburg on Wednesday is now being characterized as an act of terrorism by government officials, offering Vladimir Putin an opportunity to further emphasize his “tough on terror” stance as he heads into another election. The attack, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, saw an improvised explosive device detonated inside […]