Eurasia

Book Review – Enver Hoxha’s Long Shadow: Travels in Albania

John Watkins’ new travelogue offers an intriguing snapshot of a country still scarred by the legacy of its brutal dictator.Over the past 10 to 15 years, it would be easy for someone with only a passing knowledge of history to think that Albania is just another part of what has …

Read More »

Ukraine : L’effondrement est imminent – et ensuite ?

Dans le dernier sitrep Ukraine, j’évoquais le choix du général Oleksandr Syrsky comme nouveau commandant en chef des forces armées ukrainiennes. Il est probable qu’il soutiendra les choix agressifs du président ukrainien Zelensky. Pour des raisons essentiellement de relations publiques, Zelensky exige des attaques constantes contre les forces russes et …

Read More »

Judy Asks: Is Defense a Priority Across Europe?

Defense is at the top of the policy agenda in European capitals, but the sense of urgency varies. Governments must quickly move from rhetoric to action for Europe to be able to defend itself. Stefanie Babst – Strategic advisor and former NATO deputy assistant secretary general With a few exceptions, …

Read More »

Israel Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander, Deputy in Strike

Latest Developments An Israeli airstrike killed two senior Hezbollah operatives overnight in retaliation for the Iranian-backed terrorist group’s lethal shelling of IDF Northern Command’s headquarters in Safed. Israel published the identities of the targets of its airstrike, which hit the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh: Ali Muhammad al-Debes, a regional …

Read More »

The Final Countdown: Will Russia and Ukraine Renew Gas Transit Deal?

Extending the transport of Russian gas via Ukraine after 2024 would likely benefit both Russia and Ukraine. Stopping the flow of gas, on the other hand, would be painful for whichever side initiates it. At the end of 2024, a five-year agreement expires governing one of the oldest and biggest …

Read More »

Lebanon may not want a war, but one could be on its way

A broken economy, a political vacuum and spreading regional violence have left the Lebanese people stuck between the Israeli military and Hezbollah “Disastrous”, “decimated” and “impoverished” – these are just some of the words used by Nasser Saidi, a former economy minister and deputy governor of Lebanon’s central bank, to …

Read More »

China is testing its freeriding strategy in the Red Sea

In April 2023, many foreign observers found themselves startled when senior diplomats from Iran and Saudi Arabia met at a China-brokered summit in Beijing—the first high-level meeting between both inveterate foes in several years. Beijing appeared to demonstrate a new diplomatic prowess—an active willingness to mediate tensions in one of …

Read More »

Russian nuclear anti-satellite weapons would require a firm US response, not hysteria

The prospect of space combat is gripping Washington this week. The White House on Thursday confirmed that Russia is developing a “troubling” anti-satellite capability, following statements from leading members of Congress and ensuing reports that Russia is working on a nuclear-armed, on-orbit, anti-satellite weapon. The news has sparked concern about …

Read More »

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Was A Pragmatic Means Of Managing The Soviet-Nazi Security Dilemma

Whatever one may think about its lack of morality, it was coldly pragmatic and wasn’t responsible for sparking World War II, just for temporarily putting off what proved to be its most deadly phase in Europe. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (MRP) is back in the news after President Putin explained to …

Read More »

Iran Update, February 14, 2024

Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei discussed the removal of US forces from Iraq, counterterrorism, and border security with senior Iraqi politicians in Baghdad on February 13 and 14. Iranian judicial officials rarely travel abroad. Acting Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohsen al Mandalawi claimed that the Iraqi Parliament will pass …

Read More »