National Security Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Russia’s Passportization of Transnistria: A Hidden Mobilization Reserve for the Kremlin’s Future Wars

Russia’s Passport Expansion in Transnistria: A Hybrid Mobilization Tool and a Potential Prelude to Regional Escalation President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu sharply criticized Vladimir Putin’s decree simplifying the acquisition…

May 18, 2026Moldova, Russia, Transnistria

Geoeconomics Governance National Security

Why Washington Is Ignoring Russian Strikes on U.S. Business Assets in Ukraine

The growing pattern of Russian strikes against facilities linked to major American corporations in Ukraine — including companies such as Coca-Cola, Cargill, Boeing, Mondelez International, and Philip Morris International — reveals a significant contradiction in current…

May 13, 2026Russia, Ukraine, USA

Governance Intelligence ops migration National Security

The Italian Schengen visa scandal demonstrates how corruption and informal intermediary

In Rome, former Italian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Piergabrielle Papadia was arrested on charges of organizing a corruption scheme for issuing long-term Schengen visas to Russian citizens. According to investigators, the diplomat, acting…

May 11, 2026Italy, Russia

Geopolitics National Security

From Moscow to Beijing: Kyrgyzstan’s Strategic Pivot in Defense and Security Cooperation

Ruslan Mukambetov, Kyrgyzstan’s minister of defense, met with Dong Jun, China’s minister of defense, who arrived in Bishkek on an official visit. Welcoming the Chinese delegation, Mukambetov thanked them for accepting…

April 28, 2026China, Kyrgyzstan, USA

Intelligence ops National Security Warfare

Italy as a Gateway: Russian Elite Networks, Criminal Ecosystems, Intelligence and Hybrid Influence in Southern Europe

Italy remains the leading country in the Schengen Area in terms of the number of visas issued to Russian citizens (152,000 in 2025), which enabled the visa operator VMS to increase its revenue by…

April 22, 2026Italy, Russia

National Security Nonproliferation

The Global Consequences of a Nuclear Detonation in Low Earth Orbit

The growing concern in Washington over potential Russian plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space reflects a deeper transformation in the nature of strategic competition. Statements by Stephen Whiting indicate that such a…

April 17, 2026Russia, space domain, USA

Democracy Governance ideology National Security

Transactional Power: The Transformation of U.S. Foreign Policy Under Donald Trump

The modern foreign policy of Donald Trump represents a structural departure from the post–World War II American doctrine that emphasized alliances, democratic values, and institutional leadership. Instead, Trump’s approach prioritizes transactional deal-making, bilateral…

April 13, 2026NATO, Trump, USA

Geoeconomics National Security

Bypassing the System: Russia’s Crypto Networks in Africa and the Erosion of U.S. Sanctions Power

Moscow is using Africa as a space in which it can reduce the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions pressure by shifting external transactions into crypto-based payment channels operating outside the traditional…

April 8, 2026Niger, Nigeria, Russia, USA, Zimbabwe

Drug trafficking Geopolitics National Security

From Narcos to Networks: How CJNG Is Tapping Global Arms Supply Chains

Federal prosecutors in Virginia have charged a group that attempted to supply the Mexican cartel CJNG with an arsenal worth €53.7 million. U.S. investigators have linked the central figure, Peter…

March 25, 2026CJNG, Mexico, Russia, USA

Intelligence ops National Security Psyops Terrorism

Risk Assessment: Threats Against the U.S. Vice President During a Visit to Hungary

The risk of a politically motivated hostile act against the U.S. Vice President during a visit to Hungary should be assessed as elevated in terms of political sensitivity, but constrained by a…

March 23, 2026Hungary, Russia, USA

National Security