Austria Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Elite Glass for Elite Killers: How Austria’s Premium Optics End Up in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

The Austrian manufacturer of premium optical devices Swarovski Optik, continues to supply optical sights for sniper rifles to Russia. Deliveries continue despite the war in Ukraine and Austria’s policy of “permanent…

November 19, 2025Austria, Russia, Sanctions

Intelligence ops

How Tradecraft Failures Blew Moscow’s Media-Cover Spies

After the expulsion of Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover, the Kremlin has increased the insertion into European countries of intelligence officers working under journalistic cover. This reflects a shift…

October 3, 2025Austria, Russia, SVR

Geopolitics Governance

Austria’s Neutrality Under Pressure: Toward a Strategic Shift in Security Policy?

Austria’s historic policy of neutrality—enshrined in its 1955 State Treaty and a cornerstone of post-war identity—is now under serious scrutiny. Mounting geopolitical instability, European disillusionment with "neutrality," and the persistent threat…

July 28, 2025Austria, NATO, Russia

Intelligence ops

Russia Exploits the IAEA to Steal Chinese Nuclear Technology

The Kremlin has institutionalized a vast effort to expropriate Chinese nuclear technologies under the guise of international cooperation. This policy, sanctioned at the highest political level, involves diplomats, intelligence operatives,…

May 29, 2025Austria, China, Rosatom, Russia, SVR

Intelligence ops

Russian intelligence has lost the ability to protect from arrest its discredited agents abroad

Russian intelligence has lost the ability to protect from arrest its discredited agents abroad, as evidenced by the example of Austria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl, who unexpectedly…

August 10, 2023Austria, Kneissl

Intelligence ops

Kneissl case to show how deeply Russian intelligence penetrated EU

Austria proves its image of Russia's spy nest, among other insecurities for the EU, as Russian intelligence seeks to penetrate EU government and some international bodies. That penetration may be…

September 14, 2022Austria, GRU, Kneissl, Russia

Austria

Elite Glass for Elite Killers: How Austria’s Premium Optics End Up in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

How Tradecraft Failures Blew Moscow’s Media-Cover Spies

Austria’s Neutrality Under Pressure: Toward a Strategic Shift in Security Policy?

Russia Exploits the IAEA to Steal Chinese Nuclear Technology

Russian intelligence has lost the ability to protect from arrest its discredited agents abroad

Kneissl case to show how deeply Russian intelligence penetrated EU

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