Russian vs. U.S. Statements on Nuclear Testing: Motives, Legal Fallout, Third-Party Positions, and Escalation Risks

Russian vs. U.S. Statements on Nuclear Testing: Motives, Legal Fallout, Third-Party Positions, and Escalation Risks

Divergence in posture: Washington has kept to a zero-yield moratorium since 1992 while expanding subcritical(non-explosive) experiments to steward the stockpile; Moscow de-ratified the CTBT in 2023 and, after new U.S. political signals this week, has ordered proposals on…
Russian Air-Defense Deliveries to Venezuela and the Escalation Risk of U.S.–Venezuela Military Conflict

Russian Air-Defense Deliveries to Venezuela and the Escalation Risk of U.S.–Venezuela Military Conflict

Russian deployment of new air-defense systems to Venezuela—including Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E batteries to reinforce the existing S-300VM (Antey-2500)—has altered the regional security calculus. The systems strengthen Caracas’ deterrence posture yet simultaneously raise miscalculation risks with the United States, which…