Russia
Black Holes, Vanishing Rubles and Corruption in the Russian Military
Black Holes, Vanishing Rubles and Corruption in the Russian Military
Komsomolskaya Pravda has highlighted a paradoxical and endemic problem facing military reform: large-scale corruption in the officer corps represent black holes into which billions of rubles disappear. Despite the reform,…
Read More >>Bat or Mouse? The Strange Case of Reforming Spetsnaz
Bat or Mouse? The Strange Case of Reforming Spetsnaz
One distinguishing hallmark of Russian defense reform is the unpredictable and apparently indiscriminate manner in which it is implemented. This approach leaves officers wondering about their future and where the…
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Moscow Searches for Strategic Depth in the “Reset”
Moscow Searches for Strategic Depth in the “Reset”
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's edict on September 23, formalizing sanctions against Iran following the UN Security Council resolution passed on June 9, has rekindled domestic interest in the "reset" policy…
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The issue of Afghanistan seen from Moscow
The issue of Afghanistan seen from Moscow
Just like all great empires, Russia has been crossing periods of recess followed by periods of expansion generated by a powerful central leadership. It is unanimously admitted, including by the…
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China Showcases Expeditionary Military Power in Peace Mission 2010
China Showcases Expeditionary Military Power in Peace Mission 2010
On September 9-25, Kazakhstan hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Mission 2010 military exercise, at the Matybulak training range in Zhambyl region, designed to showcase the organization's capabilities against…
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Moscow and the South Caucasus
Moscow and the South Caucasus
In the continuous effort to achieve the strategic political objective of strengthening positions in the wider Black Sea area, the months of August and September have brought new developments of…
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International Court of Justice Ruling on Kosovo and the Ultimate power of Precedence
International Court of Justice Ruling on Kosovo and the Ultimate power of Precedence
Right after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - the highest court of sovereignty-centered and UN-led world order with universal jurisdiction - issued its advisory opinion on the lawfulness of…
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North Caucasus Reality Check on Russian Military Reform
North Caucasus Reality Check on Russian Military Reform
Although the second anniversary of the Russia-Georgia War was marked by little sense of euphoria in Moscow, the operational lessons drawn by the Russian military resulted in the current reform…
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