Section: Voice of America (USA)
Kremlin Expanding Cyber Efforts in ‘Information War’
In Russia’s so-called “information war” with the West, the pro-Kremlin youth group SET (Network) is a foot soldier fighting primarily on the internet. At their roomy headquarters in an upscale office compound in Moscow, the group designs online videos criticizing the West and praising President Vladimir Putin – videos they...
European Leaders Debate Response to Russia’s Actions in Syria
European Union heads of state continue their summit Friday in Brussels, where the EU’s response to Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria is high on the agenda. Syrian government forces began a 3-day cease-fire in Aleppo Thursday, but their Russian allies have refused to extend the deal, despite pressure from France and Germany. Despite...
US Calls for Meeting With Russia Over Missile Treaty Dispute
The United States has called for a special meeting with Russia over alleged violations of a landmark Cold War-era arms-control treaty, a policy reversal that echoes deepening U.S. fears about Moscow’s intentions. The planned meeting of the Special Verification Commission, scheduled in the near future, focuses new attention on concerns about...
US Calls for Meeting With Russia Over Missile Treaty Dispute
The United States has called for a special meeting with Russia over alleged violations of a landmark Cold War-era arms-control treaty, a policy reversal that echoes deepening U.S. fears about Moscow’s intentions. The planned meeting of the Special Verification Commission, scheduled in the near future, focuses new attention on concerns about...
Russian Pollster Links Official Anti-Americanism, Crackdown on Opponents
With relations between the United States and Russia continuing to worsen, a leading Russian independent pollster and sociologist says the atmosphere of “militaristic euphoria” and anti-Americanism promoted by Russian authorities is inextricably linked with an ongoing crackdown on opponents of President Vladimir Putin. This week, Russia threatened...
Report: Baltics to Triple Military Spending by 2018
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia intend to triple their annual spending on arms and military equipment to $670 million by 2018 from 2014 thanks to fears of Russia after its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region, an HIS Markit report said Thursday. By 2020, it said, the combined overall defense budgets of the three Baltic republics will reach...
US, UK Cybersecurity Officials: Destructive Hacks are Coming
The world should brace itself for more physically destructive hacks, two senior cybersecurity officials said Wednesday, warning that a more dangerous era of hacking was already upon us. Paul Chichester, the director of operations at Britain’s new National Cyber Security Center, told attendees at an event hosted by British defense think tank...
Russian Warships to Bolster Aleppo Assault, NATO Diplomat Says
Russian warships off the coast of Norway are carrying fighter bombers that are likely to reinforce a final assault on the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo in two weeks, a senior NATO diplomat said Wednesday, citing Western intelligence. The fleet passed by Bergen, Norway, on Wednesday, the diplomat said, while Russian media have said it will move...
Russian Lawmakers Approve Suspension of Plutonium Deal With US
The lower house of Russian parliament, Duma, has unanimously approved a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin to suspend a deal with the United States on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium. Earlier this month, Putin said there is an “emerging threat to strategic stability” as a result of Washington’s “unfriendly...
Germany Hosts Meeting to Review Minsk Agreements on Ukraine
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host a meeting Wednesday with the Russian, Ukrainian and French presidents in Berlin in efforts to reactivate the stalled Minsk peace agreements aimed at a political settlement in eastern Ukraine. Amid escalating tensions between the West and Russia, Merkel invited Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian...
