Editorial paper at Robert Lansing Institute

Fortress North: The Strategic Logic Behind Russia’s New Military Base Near Finland

Russia’s recent decision to build a new military base close to the Finnish border marks a deliberate escalation in its confrontation with NATO. This move—timed just after Finland joined NATO—signals…

June 20, 2025Finland, NATO, Russia

Conflict Geopolitics

Russia and Iran After the Escalation with Israel: Strategic Partners, Conditional Allies

Executive Summary Despite years of strategic alignment, Russia did not provide direct military or political support to Iran during its recent confrontation with Israel. This reflects a calculated restraint rooted in Russia’s own geopolitical…

June 19, 2025Iran, Israel, Russia, USA

Geoeconomics Intelligence ops National Security

Africa’s New Overseers: Inside Russia’s Covert Gold Empire”

Russia’s involvement in building a gold refinery plant in Mali is not just an economic move — it’s a strategic maneuver involving sanctions evasion, geopolitical influence, and shadow financing of military operations in Africa and…

June 18, 2025gold, GRU, Russia, SVR, Wagner Group

Geopolitics Governance ideology National Security Propaganda and Disinformation

The Legal Illusion of Empire: Why Russia Deems the USSR’s Collapse Illegal and How It May Try to Reverse It

The Legal Illusion of Empire: Why Russia Deems the USSR’s Collapse Illegal and How It May Try to Reverse It Executive Summary The Russian Federation’s claims that the collapse of…

June 18, 2025Russia, USSR

Democracy Geopolitics War crimes

Russia and African Workers in the Defense Industry: A New Chapter in Neo-Colonialism

1. Introduction As the Kremlin confronts a labor shortage fueled by military mobilization and escalating economic isolation, Russia has increasingly turned to foreign nationals—especially from African nations—to sustain its defense-industrial…

June 17, 2025Africa, Russia

Conflict Democracy Estimates Governance

Chad on the Edge: Rising Tensions and Their Implications for Regional Stability and Peacekeeping

In the aftermath of contested presidential elections in May 2024 and amid unresolved internal divisions, Chad is facing mounting political and security tensions. The recent consolidation of power by President Mahamat…

June 16, 2025Chad

Drug trafficking Governance

Ecuador’s New Intelligence Law: Shield or Sword?

1. Executive Summary In early 2025, Ecuador passed a controversial new intelligence law aimed at restructuring the country’s security architecture amid rising violence and narcotrafficking. Marketed as a tool for…

June 16, 2025Ecuador

Democracy Geopolitics Governance National Security

Somalia Deepens Ties With Russia: Strategic Motives and Global Implications

Somalia’s deepening ties with Russia are more than transactional; they reflect frustration with existing security frameworks and a global contest for influence in Africa. For Moscow, Somalia is both a…

June 14, 2025Russia, Somalia, USA

Conflict Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Escalating Tensions Between Iran and Israel (June 2025): Timing, Scenarios, and Global Implications

Recent weeks have seen a dramatic intensification of tensions between Iran and Israel, marked by tit-for-tat military threats, cyberattacks, and covert operations across the region. With the specter of direct…

June 13, 2025Iran, Israel, USA

Democracy Governance

Civic Resistance Grows Against Orbán’s Authoritarian Drift”

On June 111th Budapest protests crystallized growing national unease with creeping authoritarianism—particularly around civic freedoms, media pluralism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Powered by influential civic leaders and supported by political entities now…

June 12, 2025Hungary

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