Geopolitics Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Port of Influence: The Strategic Logic Behind Russia’s Naval Base in Sudan

The Kremlin’s renewed interest in establishing a naval base in Sudan, particularly in Port Sudan on the Red Sea, reflects a calculated move to reassert global influence, secure strategic maritime…

April 11, 2025Russia, Sudan

Conflict Geopolitics National Security

Strategic Shift or Escalation? Implications of Alleged Chinese Military Presence in Ukraine

Recent reports of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers allegedly captured during combat operations in Ukraine have sent shockwaves through international diplomatic and military circles. If verified, this unprecedented development…

April 9, 2025China, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics

Russia and Iran: The Limits of Strategic Partnership in the Face of Conflict

While Russia and Iran have deepened cooperation in recent years—especially through military-technical exchanges and shared opposition to Western influence—the Kremlin has signaled that it would not be obligated to support Iran…

April 8, 2025Iran, Russia

Conflict Geopolitics National Security

The Future of NATO Under Trump: Declining U.S. Influence, European Alternatives, and the Strategic Consequences

The U.S. President Donald Trump’s skepticism toward NATO and opposition to Ukraine’s membership in the alliance have raised concerns about the long-term viability of transatlantic security cooperation. His stance weakens U.S. influence in…

April 2, 2025NATO, USA

Geopolitics Intelligence ops National Security Terrorism

Russia’s Push to Legitimize the Taliban: Strategic Interests, Global Implications, and U.S. Countermeasures

Russia has recently undertaken several steps toward legitimizing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: Initiating Legal Processes to Delist the Taliban as a Terrorist Organization: In March 2025, Russia's Prosecutor General's…

April 1, 2025Afghanistan, Russia, Taliban, USA

Democracy Geopolitics Governance

From Transition to Tenure: Niger’s Military Government Digs In and the Future of West Africa’s Juntas

Niger's junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has been sworn in for an additional five-year transition period. Per his previous statements, this transition was expected to conclude this year, leading to…

March 27, 2025Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

- Conflict Geopolitics National Security

Dangerous Precedents: How U.S. Policy Risks Undermining Global Security and NATO Stability

The U.S. Administration Undermines Post-War International Security and Risks a Major Conflict in Europe The U.S. administration is contributing to the destruction of the international security system established after World…

March 25, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Conflict Geopolitics

Ethiopia’s Red Sea Aspirations and Eritrea’s Interference in Tigray Heighten War Risks

Ethiopia's ambition to secure Red Sea access and Eritrea's interference in Ethiopia's internal affairs and a power struggle in Tigray could explode into a wider regional war. More on this story: Estimations:…

March 20, 2025Eritrea, Ethiopia

Geopolitics National Security Peacekeeping Psyops

Russia’s Defiance: The Aftermath of Trump-Putin Phone Talks

The results of the phone negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin suggest the Kremlin's intent to demonstrate Washington's inability to impose its agenda or achieve…

March 18, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics National Security

Shifting Alliances: The Fall of Assad and Iran’s Diminishing Influence in Syria

The overthrow of Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-backed coalition and interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, marked a major regional shift and a significant blow…

March 18, 2025Iran, Israel, Syria