Robert Lansing Institute

Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill: Congressional Consensus, the Dissenting Minority, and the Strategic Significance of Senator Rand Paul

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 represents one of the strongest bipartisan congressional responses to Russia's war against Ukraine and Iran's support for militant groups and nuclear activities.…

July 29, 2026Randal Paul, Russia, USA

Democracy Governance

Zambia’s 2026 Parliamentary Elections: Strategic Outlook and Implications for Domestic Stability and Foreign Influence

Zambia's parliamentary and presidential elections, scheduled for 13 August 2026, represent one of Southern Africa's most consequential political contests this year. The vote is expected to determine whether President Hakainde Hichilema and the…

July 28, 2026elections, Zambia

Democracy Governance

Ghana’s Unfinished Fight Against Witchcraft Accusations: Historical Roots and Lessons from Across Africa

Six years after the killing of 90-year-old Akua Denteh in Ghana, the country has still not enacted specific legislation criminalizing witchcraft accusations. The continued delay highlights a deeper problem: Ghana is…

July 27, 2026Ghana, Nigeria, witchcraft, Zambia

Geopolitics Governance

The Evolution of PiS: Domestic Political Competition, Ukraine, and the Future of Poland’s Conservative Right

The dispute triggered by Jan Rokita's article reflects a deeper strategic debate within Poland's conservative movement over the future direction of the Law and Justice (PiS) party. Rather than representing an…

July 23, 2026PiS, Poland, Russia, Ukraine

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

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

Governance

Intelligence Assessment: Roberto Vannacci’s Electoral Challenge and Its Implications for Italy’s Strategic Stability

gainst the backdrop of Italy's upcoming parliamentary elections, small and newly established political movements could act as electoral spoilers for both major blocs—the center-right coalition led by Giorgia Meloni and…

July 8, 2026Italy, Russia