Philippines strengthen relationship with Russia through intelligence, training

In a sign of continuing closeness between Russia and the Philippines, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council has offered President Duterte access to Russian intelligence and tactical training for his security forces. Rodrigo Duterte has stoked international controversy since assuming the presidency of the Philippines last summer by launching a violent police campaign focused on […]

NATO: German soldiers accused of rape by Russian propaganda effort

German soldiers forward deployed to Lithuania have become the targets of a hostile Russian information operations campaign, according to NATO officials. On Thursday, it was reported that rape allegations made against German soldiers via email made it all the way to the president of the Lithuanian parliament and to various news agencies in the country. […]

Putin’s Mercs

Since 9/11, the United States has experienced an incredible inflation of Private Military Contractors.  Meanwhile, both allies and adversaries have noted this development, inspiring them to start their own Private Military Companies.  In the last week we have seen an interesting story about a small Jihadi group in Syria attempting to brand themselves as a […]

Tillerson and Mattis in guarded approach to Russia

Senior US officials have been setting out their position on Russia, in some of the new administration’s first diplomatic moves. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US would consider working with Russia in some areas but would stand up for its own interests. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said Washington was not ready […]

Heads of U.S. and Russian military meet for first time since 2014

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford will meet today with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Gerasimov, to discuss U.S.-Russian military relations at a time of seemingly heightened tensions. The meeting between the two military leaders will be the first face-to-face meeting of its kind since the Russian annexation of Crimea in […]

Cease-fire frays in Syria’s south as rebels launch new offensive

BEIRUT — A cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia two months ago is fraying along Syria’s southern border as rebel forces launch their largest offensive in the area in more than a year. Monitors, activists and an aid group said fighting between opposition and pro-government forces raged for a fourth day Wednesday in the southern […]

Trump demands Russia return Crimea, while seeking their support elsewhere

President Trump expects Russia to abandon its claim over the Crimean Peninsula, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said today. Sanctions imposed by the United States during the Obama Administration will remain in place, until Russia ‘returns’ Crimea to the Ukrainian government. The announcement is in line with others from the Trump Administration. On February 2nd, […]

Microsoft President called for a digital ‘Geneva Convention’ for cyber warfare

Microsoft President Brad Smith gave a speech on Tuesday, in which he called on world leaders to form an international body that can establish the rules of digital warfare, akin to the rules put in place on traditional warfare by the Geneva Convention. In the speech, Smith said that recent hacking of elections in nation-states […]

Russian Jets Buzz US Navy Destroyer in the Black Sea

Four Russian aircraft flew low over a US Navy destroyer on February 10, 2017 marking the first of these types of maneuvers by the Russians since President Trump took office. The Navy stated that the aircraft flew over at unusually low altitude and at high-speed. The commander of the USS Porter (DDG 78), a guided […]

Old war games still going on

The old Cold War games are still being played. There is always something going on. I thought the Cold War was well and truly over; but in truth it’s probably just not as far up the agenda nowadays, so you don’t hear as much. But believe me when I say that everyone is still just […]

Jihadist clashes in Syria signal deteriorating situation for opposition

Fighting occurred between jihadist opposition groups in northwest Syria on Monday, highlighting the fractious differences that remain among rebel forces in Syria. Following the seizure of Aleppo in December 2016 by Assad government forces, armed opposition groups in northwest Syria have begun to battle over remaining territory and resources. As Assad regime troops re-consolidate following […]