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Fogbound: Narrative Wars
Ukraine’s setbacks are troubling but only part of the story. By Edward Lucas Consequences of enemy shelling of Ternopil (Photo: Suspilne Media) Corruption scandals in Kyiv, devastating attacks on infrastructure, the looming loss of Pokrovsk, and newly effective Russian innovation in drone warfare — the bad news from Ukraine keeps coming. Put the elements together and they make a bleak, even dire, picture. Ukraine is running out of soldiers, money, power supplies, and time,
1 day ago


Awake But Groggy: Europe’s Shadow Warfare Guardians
The EU is doing well in some areas but as attacks rise, much more continent-wide cooperation is needed. Prime Minister Tusk confirmed the incident on Warsaw–Lublin railway line was an act of sabotage. Source: Donald Tusk / X/ Press materials The purpose of shadow warfare attacks on European countries by Russia and its proxies is multifaceted: to test the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, to destabilize societies and governments, and to provoke reactions that undermine
2 days ago


Aesthetics: Border Control
Art can deliver a powerful geopolitical message — so be careful. By Edward Lucas Source: State Border Guard Republic of Latvia One of the pleasures of my annual visit to Venice is seeing how the countries that I know best present themselves at the Biennale, the international summer-to-autumn cultural festival that features alternately art and, this year, architecture. The current crop includes an Estonian exhibit on home insulation, Lithuania on trees, Ukraine on roofs,
3 days ago


The Fortune Teller’s Vision — A Russia Without End
The Kremlin has a vision for the future. It should make everyone very worried. By Gabrielė Klimaitė-Želvienė A palm reader examines a woman’s hand and shakes her head. Something terrible and dark lurks in her future. The client sees the palmist’s frowns and becomes frightened. “Will I get sick?” “No,” says the palm reader. “Will I die then?” The old woman again shakes her head. “So what will happen?” “Nothing at all,” the palm reader says. “Nothing will ever change
5 days ago


Putin seeks more foreign fighters amid mounting Russian losses in Ukraine
A screenshot from the video with a captured Indian national, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein. (The 63rd Mechanized Brigade / Telegram) As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches the four-year mark, Moscow is facing increasing difficulties replenishing the ranks of its invading army. With fewer Russians now prepared to volunteer, the Kremlin is seeking to recruit more foreign fighters to serve in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s colonial war. A number of recent media
Nov 3


Civilian Technology is Key to European Defense
Europe must harness dual-use technology to more swiftly deliver battlefield innovation. Kraken Technology Group picture Dual-use is not new, and Europe has a proud history of commercial-military innovation. In World War I, Renault adapted industrial expertise to create the pioneering FT tank , while in World War II, Ford’s UK plants pivoted to produce tanks, shipyards retooled and Bletchley Park fused government, industry and academia to crack codes and pioneer early computin
Oct 31


Learning Polish Lessons From Russian Attacks
Poland’s battle against cyberattacks should be a warning and an example for the West as governments seek to counter their enemies’ hybrid tactics. Source: Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London A hospital was forced to suspend operations. A city’s water network was infiltrated . Dozens of daily cyberattacks are hammering Poland’s municipal systems. This is the new normal in an era of irregular warfare. Officials report 20 to 50 attacks a day , with most blocked, but s
Oct 27


NATO Must Learn from Ukraine’s Frontline Drone Labs
Russian drone incursions mark an acceleration in the Kremlin's hybrid war on the West. NATO members should study Ukraine's frontline labs to prepare for what comes next. Source: 427th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems "RAROG" The Russia-Ukraine conflict has radically changed the understanding of modern warfare. Aviation no longer has absolute control of the air, and advanced tanks and armored vehicles have had their vulnerability exposed by relatively inexpensive unmanned
Oct 22


Strain beneath the surface: Russia’s economic pressures amid a continuing conflict
The Kremlin’s planners prepared well for their full-scale invasion of Ukraine, building up currency reserves and later boosting growth through military spending. But the Russian economy is beginning to show signs of weakness as Moscow’s illegal war continues. For years, Russian state outlets and pro-Kremlin commentators have boasted of Russia’s great economy despite Western sanctions that greatly intensified after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In
Oct 21


Five Ways to Punish Russia
With a bit of imagination and courage, NATO can impose immediate costs for Russia’s hybrid war operations. Source: NATO Airborne Early...
Oct 20


Ancient Wisdom: Europe Cannot Hide Behind its Walls
What should be Europe’s strategy as aggressive imperial powers seek to conquer territory? Ancient Greece offers some guidance. Source:...
Oct 17


Look Who's Shooting Down Russian Drones: Belarus
Screenshot from a video by Belarus 1 TV channel In the early hours of September 10, as swarms of Russian drones entered Belarusian...
Oct 13


Kremlin Financial Retaliation? Empty Threats
The Putin regime realizes its war of aggression will be seriously affected if financial assets are handed to Ukraine. But it’s impotent....
Oct 8


Three things to note in the UK’s new Defence Industrial Strategy
RAF Typhoons / Source: Royal Air Force Summer is usually quiet for members of the United Kingdom’s defense and national security...
Sep 29


How quickly can Taiwan integrate US weapon systems? Speed is essential to help deter China.
A Taiwanese M1A2T Abrams US made main battle tank. / Taiwan Military News Agency Over the past few years, discussions on Taiwan’s...
Sep 15


China’s Anti-Western Bloc? Not So Fast
A summit of mostly autocratic countries appears a gloomy signal for the West. But there’s a gap between China’s ambition and delivery....
Sep 10


The Man With Viktor Orbán in His Sights
Hungary’s premier has held the role in a vise-like grip for 15 years, but faces the most serious challenge yet at next-year’s election....
Sep 4


Pro-Moscow Myths in Kharkiv Have Lost Support, but New Narratives Need to Be Created
The tyranny and mass torture that the Kremlin is using in Ukraine today, systematic shelling and rocket attacks on civilians, resulting...
Sep 2


Putin’s Long Game
Russia’s leader aims to cherry-pick concessions from the West, while imposing Soviet-style barriers between his people and outsiders....
Sep 1


Georgia — Target the Judges
Once a reliable partner of the West, Georgia is now becoming a Russian-style dictatorship. The West must do more to avert this outcome....
Aug 28
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