Topics - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

The Militarization of Russia’s Murmansk Region: A Comprehensive Analysis of Strategic Significance

12Jul

By ISSGNo Comments

Arctic, Defense Strategy and Capabilities, Russia and Eurasia

The Militarization of Russia’s Murmansk Region: A Comprehensive Analysis of Strategic Significance

By José Carlos Palma * The Murmansk region in Russia stands as a critical and heavily militarized area due to its strategic location, historical defense considerations, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. Situated in the far northwestern part of the country, bordering the Barents Sea and adjacent to NATO members, the region plays a pivotal role in Russia's military posture. This article provides a deep and detailed analysis of the factors driving the militarization of the Murmansk region, examining its Arctic strategic importance, the significance of the Northern Fleet, military bases and installations, nuclear deterrence, Arctic military modernization, and geopolitical considerations. Arctic Strategic Importance: The Arctic region has become a focal point of international interest d...

Space-Based Weapon Systems: Exploring the Frontier of Military Capabilities in Outer Space

2Jul

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Space Defense

Space-Based Weapon Systems: Exploring the Frontier of Military Capabilities in Outer Space

By José Carlos Palma* Space-based weapon systems refer to offensive or defensive capabilities deployed in space with the purpose of conducting military operations or protecting assets in space or on Earth. These systems utilize space-based platforms, such as satellites, to deliver kinetic or non-kinetic effects. Here is a deep and detailed exploration of space-based weapon systems: I. Types of Space-Based Weapon Systems A. Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons: 1. Kinetic ASATs: These weapons physically destroy or disable enemy satellites using direct impact or fragmentation techniques. 2. Non-Kinetic ASATs: These weapons use non-destructive means, such as electronic or cyber attacks, to disrupt or disable satellite functions. B. Space-Based Directed Energy Weapons: 1. Hi...

The Military Use of Space: Defining its Significance in Modern Warfare

2Jul

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Space Defense

The Military Use of Space: Defining its Significance in Modern Warfare

By José Carlos Palma * The military use of space has become an integral aspect of modern warfare, where nations leverage space-based assets and capabilities to achieve strategic objectives. This article delves into the definition and significance of the military use of space, highlighting it's evolving nature and the impact it has on contemporary conflicts. I. Understanding the Military Use of Space A. Definition: The military use of space refers to the utilization of space technology, assets, and systems to support and enhance military operations and capabilities. B. Space-Based Assets: This includes satellites, communication networks, navigation systems, intelligence-gathering systems, and space-based weapon systems. II. Significance of the Military Use of Space A. Communication...

Cold War 2.0 — Kremlin rolls out red carpet for China’s Xi

20Mar

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Geopolitics and International Security

Cold War 2.0 — Kremlin rolls out red carpet for China’s Xi

Chinese leader offers Putin a lifeline as Ukraine war churns By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times Cold War 2.0 shifted into a new gear Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to Moscow in a major show of solidarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin against the United States and other Western democracies. Mr. Xi is seeking to highlight China’s rising diplomatic clout during the three-day state visit, his first overseas trip since formally securing an unprecedented third five-year term as president this month. Analysts say he also aims to give the embattled Mr. Putin a boost just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Russian leader on war crimes charges related to his troubled invasion of Ukraine. The Ukraine war and the prospect that Beijing cou...

Geopolitical risk: raw materials and technological dependence

16Mar

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Future Technology, Technology and Innovation

Geopolitical risk: raw materials and technological dependence

By *Raquel Jorge Ricart Raw materials are the great overlooked in the global technological competition. In 1992 the father of China’s economic revolution, Deng Xiaoping, said that ‘the Middle East has the oil, but China has the rare earths’. Rare earths, and critical raw materials in general, have been the great forgotten commodities in the geopolitical competition of recent years, which has largely focused on which country dominates certain technologies –artificial intelligence, semiconductors and so many others– and not so much on what means were necessary to achieve dominance. China controls 36.7% of global rare earth reserves. Brazil and Vietnam, the next countries on the list, together stockpile as much as China does alone (18.3% each). They are followed by Russia, with 10% of ...

Russian Warplane Hits American Drone Over Black Sea, U.S. Says

15Mar

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Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy, Military Technology

Russian Warplane Hits American Drone Over Black Sea, U.S. Says

The incident was the first known physical contact between the two militaries since the war in Ukraine began last year. WASHINGTON — A Russian warplane struck a U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday, hitting the drone’s propeller and causing its American operators to bring it down in international waters, according to the Pentagon, in the first known physical contact between the Russian and American militaries since the war in Ukraine started last February. The downing of the MQ-9 Reaper, a workhorse of the American military’s airborne reconnaissance fleet, immediately escalated tensions between the White House and the Kremlin as U.S. officials accused the Russian forces involved in the incident of behaving dangerously. American military officials said the unarmed Reape...

Think Like a Spy: How Open Source Intelligence Can Give You a Competitive Advantage

15Mar

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Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy

Think Like a Spy: How Open Source Intelligence Can Give You a Competitive Advantage

The realm of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a labyrinth of information and insights that organizations can delve into to fortify their digital frontiers while keeping a close eye on the activities of their competitors. This is achieved by harvesting a cornucopia of publicly accessible data from the World Wide Web, social media platforms and other publicly accessible records. By synergizing these various sources of information, organizations can gain an unprecedented perspective of the trends, patterns and perils in the digital domain. OSINT is not just a tool for information gathering but is a tool that provides organizations with a powerful vantage point to identify potential risks, track the movements of competitors and even uncover illicit activities. It also affords organizatio...

Nigeria’s cities are growing fast: family planning must be part of urban development plans

15Mar

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Africa, Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations

Nigeria’s cities are growing fast: family planning must be part of urban development plans

Nigeria is rapidly urbanising, with more people living in urban areas than in rural communities. A recent World Bank estimate shows that 53% of the 213 million Nigerians live in urban areas. That’s projected to rise above 70% by 2050. Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest city, already has over 15.9 million people. The country’s urban growth rate is 6% and the general population growth rate is about 2.4%. Although urban areas are hubs for socioeconomic development, many large cities are unsafe and unhealthy. Unfortunately, infrastructure development and service delivery aren’t keeping pace with urban population growth in Nigeria. Millions of urban residents face enormous challenges like housing deficits, overcrowding and limited economic opportunities. Poverty, air and noise pollution, insecurity, h...

HAARP: Weather Control Is the HAARP Project a Weather Control Weapon?

25Feb

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Conspiracy theories, Military Technology, Topics

HAARP: Weather Control Is the HAARP Project a Weather Control Weapon?

"It isn't just conspiracy theorists who are concerned about HAARP. The European Union called the project a global concern and passed a resolution calling for more information on its health and environmental risks. Despite those concerns, officials at HAARP insist the project is nothing more sinister than a radio science research facility." -- From documentary on HAARP weather control capabilities by Canada's CBC HAARP: What is it? HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) was a little-known, yet critically important U.S. military defense project which generated quite a bit of controversy over its alleged weather control capabilities and much more. The project was shuttered by the military in 2013 after attracting large amounts of negative publicity, though HAARP-like r...

Erdoğan’s Paramilitary Unit SADAT Peddles Conspiracies Amid Quake, NATO Expansion

24Feb

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Conspiracy theories

Erdoğan’s Paramilitary Unit SADAT Peddles Conspiracies Amid Quake, NATO Expansion

by Abdullah Bozkurt Nordic Monitor Private Turkish military contractor SADAT, a paramilitary unit loyal to the president of Turkey, has been peddling conspiracy theories claiming that the US might be behind deadly earthquakes that struck Turkey earlier this month and that a Western anti-Islam/anti-Turkish campaign aims to overthrow Turkey's Islamist leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Several articles written0 by Ali Coşar, a retired colonel and board member of SADAT and published by the paramilitary group's propaganda arm, ASSAM (Association of Justice Defenders Strategic Studies Center), claimed the US has been threatening Turkey for some time and that it wasn't a coincidence that the quakes occurred right after the visit of a US warship to Istanbul. Coşar also maintained that the West...