Governance Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Why Armenia Is Creating a Foreign Counterintelligence Service: Aims, Drivers, and Consequences

Strategic Context: The Collapse of the Russian Security Umbrella Armenia’s decision to build a dedicated foreign counterintelligence (CI) capability reflects a radical shift in Yerevan’s security doctrine.Three structural changes underpin the move:…

November 26, 2025Armenia

Geopolitics Governance Intelligence ops National Security

Mali as a Russian Bridgehead: The Kremlin’s Expansion and the Erosion of U.S. Power in the Sahel”

Russia, entering Mali under the pretext of “assistance in overcoming the fuel crisis,” is in fact constructing a new infrastructure of influence that directly undermines U.S. interests in the Sahel.…

November 25, 2025Mali, Russia, USA

Conflict Geopolitics Governance

The 28-Point Mirage: A Critical Assessment of the “Peace Plan” to End the Russia–Ukraine War through the Lens of Senator Lindsey Graham

The recently leaked 28-point plan to end the Russia–Ukraine war has already generated alarm among U.S. lawmakers — most prominently Senator Lindsey Graham, who has denounced the initiative as strategically incoherent, diplomatically illegitimate,…

November 21, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Democracy Governance

Kosovo’s political reset: what the dissolution of parliament reveals about governance and crisis

Before dissolving parliament, President Osmani urged deputies to pass a budget extension, an appeal that underscored how fragile the moment has become. Without it, Kosovo enters the new year unable…

November 20, 2025Kosovo

Governance ideology Peacekeeping

Delegitimising Dmitriev: From Surrogate Diplomat to Defiant Propagandist

The diplomatic fiasco of Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev has already taken place—and is irreversible. Yet he continues to seek a way back into the game, betting on propaganda…

November 20, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Coup Governance

Turkmenistan on the Edge? Coup Risk in the Berdymukhamedov Duumvirate”

Turkmenistan today is one of the most repressive regimes on the planet: a family-based dictatorship centered on Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov (“Arkadag”, National Leader) and his son, President Serdar. Freedom House classifies it as…

November 18, 2025Turkmenistan

Geopolitics Governance ideology

The Serbian World crisis and Russia’s search for a new Balkan foothold

As Serbia wavers between Moscow and Brussels, the idea of a “Serbian World” is unraveling under the pressures of the Ukraine war. With Belgrade’s double game exposed, Russia may shift…

November 12, 2025Kosovo, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, USA

Democracy Governance

Guinea-Bissau’s November Elections: Actors, Trends, Risks, Scenarios, Foreign Influence, Consequences

Guinea-Bissau heads to simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on 23 November 2025 (with a possible second presidential round on 30 November) under highly contentious conditions: the opposition’s main force (PAIGC/Pai Terra Ranka)…

November 10, 2025Guinea-Bissau

Corruption Governance Intelligence ops National Security

The Kremlin’s Battle for Budapest: Russia’s Hybrid War to Keep Orbán in Power

The Kremlin has begun aggressively defending the regime in Budapest ahead of the April 2026 elections. It is evident that Moscow aims to strengthen its influence in Hungary and destroy the…

November 10, 2025Hungary, Russia, SVR, USA

Energy Geoeconomics Geopolitics Governance

How a Single Meeting Endangers Trump Politically and Strengthens Moscow”

President Donald Trump hosts Hungary’s PM Viktor Orbán at the White House. Official and media lines point to Russian oil sanctions, economic cooperation, and Orbán’s push to broker a Trump–Putin encounter as headline Orbán’s aims (primary → secondary)…

November 7, 2025Hungary, Russia, USA

Governance