Editorial paper at Robert Lansing Institute

Russia’s Intelligence War Against Italy: Espionage, Diplomatic Retaliation, and NATO’s Technological Security

A new round of diplomatic confrontation has emerged between Italy and Russia over an espionage case. Moscow has expelled the Italian military attaché and one of his staff members, a…

July 22, 2026Italy, Russia

Governance Terrorism

Defensive Democracy in Practice: Hamburg’s Constitutional Vetting and the Evolution of Germany’s Security Doctrine

Hamburg will begin screening applicants for positions in the public service through Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). If an applicant is found to have engaged…

July 21, 2026AfD, Germany

Governance National Security

Between Deterrence and Accommodation: Germany’s Security Crisis and the Strategic Implications of BSW’s “Helsinki 2.0” Proposal

According to German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, Germany faces a persistent risk of large-scale terrorist attacks and acts of sabotage that could occur at any moment. In response to this…

July 20, 2026BSW, Germany

Geopolitics Governance

Beyond Civil Defense: Assessing Belarus’s Shelter Modernization as an Indicator of Strategic Intent

Belarus has launched a nationwide inspection, repair, and modernization campaign for bomb shelters and other civil defense facilities. The inspection revealed significant shortcomings. In the Mogilev region, only 204 of 276 designated…

July 17, 2026Belarus

Governance influence ops

Exploiting East–West Fault Lines: Russian Information Operations and the Political Symbolism of the Dessau-Roßlau Incident

At a party event in Dessau-Roßlau, AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla and the party's lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, joined the audience in singing the anthem of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR).…

July 16, 2026AfD, Germany, Russia

Geopolitics influence ops

Between NATO Protection and Kremlin Accommodation: Bulgaria’s Radev Doctrine

The Prime minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev stated that he had received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to join the "Coalition of the Willing," but affirmed that Bulgaria would…

July 15, 2026Bulgaria, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

Intelligence ops National Security

Closing the Tokyo Loophole: Pressuring Japan to Disrupt Russia’s Military Supply Chains

A classified 20th Directorate of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU) is reportedly operating in Tokyo to identify, procure, and smuggle dual-use and military…

July 14, 2026GRU, Japan, Russia, Sanctions

Drug trafficking

Wagner’s Opioid Empire: How Tramadol Trafficking Fuels Russian Mercenary Networks in Central Africa

The illicit tramadol trade linking India and the Central African Republic (CAR) has evolved into one of the most profitable criminal enterprises operating in Central Africa. Rather than functioning solely…

July 13, 2026CAR, Wagner Group

Economy Governance

Crimea’s Tourism Collapse: How Ukrainian Deep Strikes Are Increasing the Long-Term Cost of Russia’s Occupation

The Russian government has approved the allocation of more than 4.3 billion rubles to support the tourism sector in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. The funds are intended to finance one-time payments to…

July 13, 2026Russia

- Intelligence ops

Inside Russia’s Hunt for NATO GEOINT: Protecting Europe’s Space and Geospatial Intelligence

Italy has expelled two officials from the Russian Embassy on espionage charges. On July 9, 2026, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that two Russian military…

July 10, 2026GEOINT, Italy, NATO, Russia

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