Intelligence ops Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Borderline Politics: Russian-Linked Actors in Finland and the Campaign to Reopen the Finnish–Russian Border

A small but vocal group of politicians and public figures in Finland, some with Russian citizenship or familial ties to Russia, are actively pushing for the reopening of the Finnish-Russian…

July 25, 2025Finland, NATO, Russia

Governance Intelligence ops

The Consolidation of Pro-Russian Forces in Moldova: Implications for the 2025 Elections

Recent developments in Moldova indicate a significant realignment within the country’s pro-Russian political spectrum. Formerly fragmented forces have now coalesced into a unified electoral bloc, potentially reshaping the political landscape…

July 23, 2025Moldova, Russia

Geopolitics Intelligence ops National Security

Rising Russian Espionage Activity in Germany: Timing, Tactics, and Threats

Russia has sharply intensified its espionage activity in Germany since 2022. This escalation reflects shifts in Moscow's intelligence priorities amid the war in Ukraine, worsening relations with the West, and…

July 22, 2025Germany, Russia

Intelligence ops

Espionage and Distrust Between Russia and Iran — A Comparative Analysis with Chinese Intelligence Activities in Russia

While Russia and Iran publicly portray themselves as strategic partners—especially in shared theaters like Syria—their relationship is characterized by a deep undercurrent of mistrust, particularly in intelligence and security domains. Both…

July 18, 2025China, Iran, Russia

Democracy Governance Intelligence ops

Moldova’s 2025 Elections: A Battleground for Influence Between Democracy and Kremlin Interference

Moldova’s 2025 elections are not only a test of democratic resilience but a geopolitical fault line. Russia is positioned to exploit voter fatigue, regional divisions, and political fragmentation. A robust…

July 10, 2025Moldova, Russia

Conflict Intelligence ops

Shifting Sands: Azeri-Russian Tensions Surface Amid Diaspora Strains and Media Arrests

The Russian police raids in Yekaterinburg targeting the Azerbaijani diaspora appear to have been triggered by a complex mix of internal intelligence turf wars, geopolitical messaging to Baku, and concerns over organized crime…

July 1, 2025Azerbaijan, Russia

Coup Geopolitics ideology Intelligence ops

The Coup Attempt in Serbia — Kremlin Influence, Balkan Instability, and Strategic Fallout

The attempted coup in Serbia represents a critical turning point in Balkan politics, exposing fragile domestic institutions and Serbia’s delicate balance between the EU and Russia. While the plot was swiftly neutralized,…

June 26, 2025Russia, Serbia

Coup Intelligence ops

Coup Attempt in Armenia — Kremlin Shadows, Domestic Fractures, and Future Risks for Pashinyan

Executive Summary The recent coup attempt in Armenia marks the most serious threat to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s authority since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. This event reveals a volatile intersection…

June 25, 2025Armenia, Russia

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 Intelligence ops

Bear Meets Dragon: The Escalating Espionage Rivalry Between Russia and China

Despite their strategic “no limits” partnership, intelligence leaks show deep mistrust between Moscow and Beijing. A recent New York Times–cited report revealed internal Russian warnings that Chinese intelligence is actively targeting…

June 9, 2025China, Russia