Putin’s Asking Russians to Prepare for a ‘Long War,’ But Many Disagree

If nuclear weapons are used in Ukraine, it won’t be Russia that starts it, says Russian president Vladimir Putin – ostensibly seeking to reassure the world while also delivering an arch reminder that he does, after all, have the power to swing the world’s largest nuclear arsenal into action if he chooses.

21st Special Tactics Squadron Commandos receive 90 medals

On July 24, 2020, members of the Air Force’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron, along with their friends and family, joined together for a special awards ceremony. The squadron’s most recent deployment was in 2019. It involved members deploying to three different locations and fighting against six different extremist organizations. Due to the actions of the […]

Russia in West Africa: Trying to replace the West?

Editor’s note: This article was written by Ana Maria Baloi and originally published on Grey Dynamics. This report examines the likelihood of a Russian power projection in West Africa, based on the country’s ambitions, military doctrine and previous and current actions in other parts of the continent Key Judgements KJ-1: Russia’s interest in Africa is […]

India vs China, who would the US support in a conflict?

Following a savage clash in the Sino-Indian border, thousands of Chinese and Indian troops have been in a standoff within the Ladakh region, high within the Himalayas. On June 6, the two countries reached an agreement to de-escalate by the mutual withdrawal of troops from the Galwan Valley. That agreement went dramatically wrong on June […]

Boko Haram strikes again with multiple attacks in Nigeria, over 100 dead

Three separate attacks, including an assault on the military base of Monguno, killed dozens of people in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state. Boko Haram, which has allied itself with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The other two targets were a United Nations office and a refugee camp which hosts […]

Libyan forces capture Russian Pantsir-S-1 anti-aircraft system

Libyan forces with the Turkey-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) are gaining the upper hand in the fight against the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces controlled by General Khalifa Haftar. They have pushed the LNA back from Tripoli, captured the 350 km supply line used by Haftar’s militias, and gained control of the al-Watiyah airbase. […]

Iranian tanker defies US sanctions and reaches Venezuela

An Iranian tanker defied U.S. sanctions and reached Venezuela. The Iranian vessel is the first in a fleet of five tankers that have been sent to help the regime of Nicholas Maduro. The oil ferried by the tankers will provide a much-needed injection in the Venezuelan economy, which has been crippled by U.S. sanctions. On […]

Kim Jong-un’s new threats indicate sanctions are working in North Korea

After weeks of threatening the Trump administration with a “Christmas gift” that many assumed would be renewed ballistic missile tests, North Korea was notably silent as Christmas day passed. Kim’s threats were meant to press Trump toward offering concessions in the negotiations with the reclusive state, as Trump pushes for North Korea’s denuclearization and Kim […]