Tag: Russia

Pax Americana and a New Assertive Foreign Policy
Dr. Vassilios Damiras, Vassilios Damiras – Pax Americana

Pax Americana and a New Assertive Foreign Policy

By Dr. Vassilios Damiras* Dr. Vassilios Damiras discusses that President Trump and the Republicans need to adopt an assertive foreign policy to deal with the survival of Ukraine and Israel. Also, the USA needs to tackle the new axis of evil of Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea. https://thenewscasters.com/podcast/pax-americana-and-new-assertive-foreign-policy/
Russia-Iran Nuclear Threat: The Next Global Crisis?
Strategic Horizons by José Carlos Palma, José Carlos Palma

Russia-Iran Nuclear Threat: The Next Global Crisis?

By José Carlos Palma* José Palma(ISSG): Welcome back to Strategic Horizons, where we dig into the most pressing international stories. Today’s topic could reshape not just current conflicts but the future of global security and the deepening military cooperation between Russia and Iran. It’s been a dramatic development, with implications for the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond. With me are experts in international relations and military strategy Alexander Turner* and Daniel Robinson*. José Palma: So, let’s recap. On Friday, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a critical summit in Washington. One of the key issues discussed was Russia potentially sharing nuclear secrets with Iran in exchange for ballistic missiles. This collaboration has set off alar...
The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict
Russia and Eurasia, Regions

The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict

By José Carlos Palma* As Ukraine's military operation in Kursk unfolds, it is clear that this battle is not only being fought on the ground but also in the realm of information. This new phase in the war has revealed significant shifts in the information front, where narratives are being contested reel by reel across the globe. Russia's Propaganda Machine Stumbles The rapid advance of Ukrainian forces in Kursk left Russia's propaganda apparatus in disarray. Initially, Russian state media struggled to maintain a consistent narrative. Some outlets downplayed the Ukrainian incursion as a minor skirmish, while others contradicted this by claiming that "thousands" of Ukrainian troops had been killed, despite earlier reports suggesting only 1,000 soldiers had crossed the border. The confusi...
Moscow and Tehran’s Role in the Middle East
Middle East, Geopolitics and International Security, Study Office

Moscow and Tehran’s Role in the Middle East

By José Carlos Palma* In recent years, the Middle East has become a battleground for geopolitical maneuvering, with Moscow and Tehran emerging as key players in shaping the region's dynamics. The evolving relationship between Russia and Israel, coupled with Iran's growing influence, underscores a complex interplay of interests and alliances that have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security. Redefining Alliances The historic friendship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone significant strain in the face of shifting geopolitical realities. While once considered allies in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria, the relationship between Moscow and Jerusalem has cooled in recent years, dri...
The Escalation of Repression: Russia’s Suppression of Dissent in 2023
Russia and Eurasia

The Escalation of Repression: Russia’s Suppression of Dissent in 2023

By ISSG Staff In 2023, Russia witnessed a notable absence of mass protests and scenes of police brutality, yet behind the façade of normalcy, the Kremlin's suppression of dissent intensified, resembling the repressive systems of the post-Stalin Soviet era. President Vladimir Putin's security forces shifted their tactics from visible street repression to systematic crackdowns within pretrial detention centers, courts, and the prison system. Human rights activist Aleksandr Cherkasov of Memorial, even after being banned in Russia, expressed concern, stating, "It is a return to the repressive system of the post-Stalin period." He suggested that Putin is not merely maintaining stability but is engaged in social engineering, echoing the Soviet logic that involved suppressing one person to cont...
Putin Orders Unprecedented Expansion of Russian Military: Analyzing the Strategic Implications Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
Russia and Eurasia, Study Office

Putin Orders Unprecedented Expansion of Russian Military: Analyzing the Strategic Implications Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

By José Carlos Palma * The expansion of the Russian military with an additional 170,000 troops amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine suggests several strategic and geopolitical considerations on the part of Russian President Vladimir Putin: Sustaining Military Operations in Ukraine: The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly 22 months, and the decision to increase military personnel indicates that Putin is committed to sustaining and potentially escalating military operations in Ukraine. The additional troops could be deployed to reinforce existing forces, intensify offensives, or maintain control over certain areas. Countering NATO and Regional Dynamics: The official statement from the Russian Defense Ministry cites concerns about NATO's actions, including the buildup o...
New Political Parties in Europe: Kremlin’s Tactics to Infiltrate Agents into the European Parliament
Europe, Russia and Eurasia

New Political Parties in Europe: Kremlin’s Tactics to Infiltrate Agents into the European Parliament

By José Carlos Palma* In recent years, Europe has witnessed the emergence of a plethora of new political parties, many of which espouse populist, nationalist, and anti-EU sentiments. While some of these parties stem from genuine grassroots movements, others are believed to be mere fronts for Russian interests aimed at undermining the European Union and its institutions. This article delves into the Kremlin's sophisticated strategies to infiltrate its agents into the European Parliament and influence European politics. The Kremlin's Strategy of Political Influence The Russian government has a long-standing history of employing political influence to advance its interests abroad. In the context of Europe, the Kremlin has forged ties with far-right and Eurosceptic parties, providin...
Understanding the Limited Opposition to Russia’s Ukraine War: A Sociological Perspective
Russia and Eurasia, Study Office

Understanding the Limited Opposition to Russia’s Ukraine War: A Sociological Perspective

Photo: Russian soldiers head towards a train station in Volgograd Oblast By José Carlos Palma * Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, and the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, have faced relatively limited opposition from the Russian populace. Despite international concerns and the conflict's longevity, a recent study by Russian sociologist Lev Gudkov, head of the independent Leveda Center, provides insights into the factors contributing to this lack of widespread anti-war sentiment. Stifled Dissent: Strict Censorship and State Propaganda One of the key reasons for the lack of opposition to the Ukraine war in Russia is the presence of strict censorship and pervasive state propaganda. Gudkov notes that the majority of Russians are deprived of independent news sources due to censorshi...