National Security Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Havana Syndrome Revisited: Foreign Actors, Microwave Weapons, and the Attack on U.S. Institutions

A recent interim report by the House Permanent Select Subcommittee on the CIA suggests that a foreign adversary is "increasingly likely" responsible for the mysterious health incidents known as Havana…

December 17, 2024China, Havana Syndrome, Russia, USA

Intelligence ops National Security Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops

Russia’s Campaign to Undermine the New U.S. Administration: A Strategic Disinformation Effort

Russia has launched an operation aimed at discrediting the new U.S. administration. We reaffirm our previous conclusions that the Kremlin seeks to project its war in Ukraine as a conflict…

December 13, 2024Russia, USA

Geopolitics National Security Nonproliferation

Assessing the Likelihood of a Repeat Deployment of the “Oreshnik” ICBM

Russia's deployment of the "Oreshnik" intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in Belarus is poised to heighten political and informational tensions across Europe. For Lukashenko, this marks a raising of the stakes…

December 10, 2024Belarus, nuclear weapons, Russia

Conflict Geopolitics National Security Nonproliferation

Russia’s Nuclear Blackmail as a Tool to Pressure the West

Russia's Nuclear Blackmail as a Tool to Pressure the West Since the conclusion of the U.S. presidential elections, Russia has continued to escalate global tensions, leveraging the threat of nuclear…

November 27, 2024nuclear weapons, Russia

Intelligence ops National Security

Russia’s intelligence services have significantly altered their HUMINT

Russia Shifts HUMINT Recruitment Tactics Amid War in Ukraine. Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, Russia's intelligence services have significantly altered their human intelligence (HUMINT) protocols, moving away…

November 26, 2024FSB, GRU, Russia, SVR

Corruption Geopolitics Intelligence ops National Security

Russia Secures UN Approval for Military Operations Under Peacekeeping Pretext

In a move raising international concerns, Russia has successfully advanced a resolution through the UN General Assembly, granting the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) the authority to participate in UN…

November 22, 2024CSTO, Russia, United Nations

Geoeconomics Geopolitics National Security

Boakai’s Ties With Russia Threaten Liberia’s Stability and U.S. Relations

The Liberian opposition could attempt to counter Russian expansion through legislative action, public advocacy, alliances with Western countries, and media campaigns. However, their success would depend on a range of…

November 14, 2024Liberia, Russia, USA

Governance National Security Terrorism

Who is the New Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem?

In a leadership transition amid the ongoing wars in Lebanon and Gaza, Hezbollah’s Shura Council elected Shia cleric Naim Qassem as its new Secretary-General. The appointment follows the assassination by Israel of former…

November 6, 2024Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon

Geopolitics National Security Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops

Hungarian Prime Minister Joins Russian Efforts to Interfere in U.S. Elections

Moscow is once again attempting to sway the outcome of U.S. elections, this time employing information operations with the help of allied leaders. The Kremlin's narrative warns that a loss…

November 5, 2024Hungary, nuclear weapons, Russia, USA

National Security Nonproliferation Warfare

Investigation Reveals Russia’s Ongoing Viral Research and Activity in Africa

The Washington Post has published a report corroborating the 2022 findings from the RLI, which highlighted Russia’s efforts to develop biological weapons using Cold War-era laboratory facilities. The report asserts…

October 28, 2024Russia

National Security