Sniper Rifles and Microchips: Who Enables the Russian War Machine in Ukraine

Western weapons and electronic components continue to surface in Russian military hardware deployed in Ukraine, despite ongoing international efforts to restrict Moscow’s access to advanced technology. Recent reports from both European and Ukrainian investigative sources indicate that key Western-manufactured parts, including microchips and optical systems, have been identified in Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other military equipment used in the war.

Palestinian Arabs in the Context of Russia’s Demand for Leadership of the Global South and Conflict with the West

Vladimir Putin’s second presidential term (2004–2008) was marked by Moscow’s obvious desire to regain its status as a global superpower, which had been lost by the Soviet Union as a result of its defeat in the Cold War. The point of official departure from the former policy of open partnership with Western countries and close cooperation with NATO was the so-called 2007 Munich Speech of the Russian President and the invasion of Georgia that followed in August 2008.

Kazakhstan And Brics: Cooperation Without Participation

Kazakhstan refuses to join BRICS, an organization that Russia (and to some extent China) sees as an alternative to the Western-centric world order. Clearly, such a decision inevitably invites retaliatory pressure from Russia. To offset this to some extent, and for a number of other pragmatic reasons, Kazakhstan continues to actively participate in BRICS+ activities.

Islamism, Crime and their Social and Political Influence in Russia. Part 2. The Radical Islamist Influence and Power Struggle inside Russian Prisons

Russian prisons have long been battlegrounds for influence among various criminal factions, each striving for control over the prison’s internal economy and hierarchies. Traditionally, the power in Russian penitentiaries has been held by groups following the thieves-in-law ("vor v zakone") code. However, the prison landscape in Russia has been changing.

Victory as a Defeat: On the Results of the Presidential Election Campaign in Moldova

On November 8, the Central Election Commission of Moldova announced the official results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova. With 55% of the votes, Maia Sandu won in the second round, while her opponent Alexandru Stoianoglo gained 44.8%. Despite this result, the election did not become a triumph for the presidential team.

Islamism, Crime and their Social and Political Influence in Russia. Part 1. “Black, Red and Green Prisons in Post-Soviet states”

The Islamist-led uprisings have often been ignited by conflicts over prison conditions and alleged mistreatment by guards, which Islamist leaders have used as rallying points. These leaders, drawing on religious motivations, present their actions as part of a broader “struggle” against an oppressive system. The uprisings have included organized sit-ins, hunger strikes, and, in more severe cases, violent clashes with guards.

Israel, the Middle East, and the Russian Public Opinion Part 2: What Russians Think of Israeli War with HAMAS and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

It is hard to ignore that the war Israel is waging with the support of the U.S. and its Western allies against the terrorist alliance of Iran and its radical Islamist proxies – including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Syria and Iraq – has mirrored in the ideological, political, and diplomatic discourse around post-Soviet conflicts, especially the Russian-Ukrainian and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflicts.

Lithuania Prepares for the Worst Scenario

In January 2024, three Baltic States agree to establish a common defence zone on their borders with Russia and Belarus. It represents concerns about security in the region. The border of Lithuania and Latvia with Russia and Belarus, and the border of Estonia with Russia could be evaluated as a new line of cold confrontation between Moscow and the Western world.

Israel, the Middle East, and the Russian Public Opinion Part 1: Russian View of the Jewish State

A year has passed since the beginning of the war that Israel, with the support of its allies, primarily the United States, has been waging against the "Axis of Evil"—an anti-Western alliance consisting of Iran, its satellites (Syria, Iraq), and terrorist proxies that have effectively taken control of their respective regions

Georgia’s Foreign Policy at Odds and Geopolitical Turbulence Scenarios after the Parliamentary Elections

The Georgia’s political situation remains strained and has turned into a real geopolitical dilemma. Formally, the incumbent authority of Georgia, led by the ruling party "The Georgian Dream," has cut off relations with the EU and the USA. The Charter on Strategic Partnership between Georgia and the USA, signed on January 9, 2008, is no longer active. Even the date of the complete breakdown in relations has been set for May 30, 2024.