Section: The National Interest (USA)
Wanted: A U.S.-Russia Relationship That Isn’t Dysfunctional
Nikolas K. Gvosdev Politics, Europe The principal agenda item during the Putin-Trump summit is going to be the situation around North Korea—with Trump asking for additional Russian help in containing the crisis. Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have decided to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in...
Why NATO Isn’t Ready to Take on Russia
Jyri Raitasalo Security, Eurasia Now that military tensions between Russia and the West have gone through the roof, most European states find themselves lacking credible warfighting capabilities. War is being fought in Europe today. It has been going on for more than three years. More than ten thousand people are dead—and some 1.6 million people...
Here Is How Japan Plans on Killing China’s Aircraft Carriers
Zachary Keck Security, Asia Missiles are too expensive. How about submarines instead? As we approach the day when China will have multiple aircraft carriers, Beijing’s neighbors and the United States are likely beginning to prepare for this eventuality. This is especially true of Japan, China’s traditional rival in the region. While...
Should America Be Worried about Russia’s Military Buildup in Belarus?
Zachary Keck Security, Europe It may be a case of more bark than bite. Russia and Belarus are continuing to discuss arrangements for delivering the S-400 system, but that “it is yet premature to talk about concrete dates.” As tensions between the United States and Russia continue to grow, Moscow is embarking on a massive military buildup in...
Here Is How Russia Is Making Old Tanks Deadly Tools of War
Kyle Mizokami Security, Europe They may be old—but they still work. The high cost of the Armata tank, combined with Western sanctions over the 2014 invasion of Ukraine, will likely limit Russia’s ability to field large numbers of the tank. The Russian Armed Forces are facing obsolescence on many fronts, from fighters to tanks and a new...
Here is What I Saw at the Valdai Club Conference
Anatol Lieven Security, Eurasia The statements and exchanges at the conference regarding relations with the West were of the “he said, she said” variety that have become so drearily familiar over the years. The Valdai Club conference this year took place in an immense, usually empty hotel in the Caucasus Mountains above the town of Sochi. The...
China’s Aircraft Carrier: Just an Old Russian Ship That Can’t Fight?
Asia Times Security, Asia You make the call. The Liaoning, Beijing’s first aircraft carrier, is a refurbished second-hand vessel. But, despite its inauguration in 2012, it appears the vessel’s genuine war-readiness is still in doubt. Party mouthpieces have all refrained from using the carrier’s former name, Varyag – no surprise,...
China’s Aircraft Carrier: Just an Old Russian Ship That Can’t Fight?
Asia Times Security, Asia You make the call. The Liaoning, Beijing’s first aircraft carrier, is a refurbished second-hand vessel. But, despite its inauguration in 2012, it appears the vessel’s genuine war-readiness is still in doubt. Party mouthpieces have all refrained from using the carrier’s former name, Varyag – no surprise,...
Why the U.S. Intelligence Community Fears Russia’s Growing Military Might
Dave Majumdar Security, Europe Should we be worried? Over the longer term, Russia does harbor aspirations to once again become a great power as it was during the Russian Empire and later in the Soviet-era–if the DIA’s analysis proves to be correct. The Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency has released a new assessment of...
This Video Shows What Happens if Washington, D.C. Is Attacked with Nuclear Weapons
Harry J. Kazianis Security, It would be hell. While we all can certainly debate what is or isn’t a modern-day existential threat in its present form, we can all certainly agree terrorists and also lesser capable nation-states (consider impoverished North Korea, who has an economy smaller than Ethiopia, for example) are able to develop...
