Beyond Art: The Florence Performances of Zakharova and Repin as Part of Russia’s Information Warfare Strategy

Beyond Art: The Florence Performances of Zakharova and Repin as Part of Russia’s Information Warfare Strategy

On 20–21 January 2026 in Florence (Italy), as part of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival, performances are scheduled featuring the well-known ballerina Svetlana Zakharova and her husband, violinist Vadim Repin. Both artists simultaneously serve as Russian state…
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…