Russia Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Fortress North: The Strategic Logic Behind Russia’s New Military Base Near Finland

Russia’s recent decision to build a new military base close to the Finnish border marks a deliberate escalation in its confrontation with NATO. This move—timed just after Finland joined NATO—signals…

June 20, 2025Finland, NATO, Russia

Geopolitics

Russia and Iran After the Escalation with Israel: Strategic Partners, Conditional Allies

Executive Summary Despite years of strategic alignment, Russia did not provide direct military or political support to Iran during its recent confrontation with Israel. This reflects a calculated restraint rooted in Russia’s own geopolitical…

June 19, 2025Iran, Russia

Geoeconomics Intelligence ops National Security

Africa’s New Overseers: Inside Russia’s Covert Gold Empire”

Russia’s involvement in building a gold refinery plant in Mali is not just an economic move — it’s a strategic maneuver involving sanctions evasion, geopolitical influence, and shadow financing of military operations in Africa and…

June 18, 2025gold, GRU, Russia, SVR, Wagner Group

Geopolitics Governance ideology National Security Propaganda and Disinformation

The Legal Illusion of Empire: Why Russia Deems the USSR’s Collapse Illegal and How It May Try to Reverse It

The Legal Illusion of Empire: Why Russia Deems the USSR’s Collapse Illegal and How It May Try to Reverse It Executive Summary The Russian Federation’s claims that the collapse of…

June 18, 2025Russia, USSR

Democracy Geopolitics War crimes

Russia and African Workers in the Defense Industry: A New Chapter in Neo-Colonialism

1. Introduction As the Kremlin confronts a labor shortage fueled by military mobilization and escalating economic isolation, Russia has increasingly turned to foreign nationals—especially from African nations—to sustain its defense-industrial…

June 17, 2025Africa, Russia

Democracy Geopolitics Governance National Security

Somalia Deepens Ties With Russia: Strategic Motives and Global Implications

Somalia’s deepening ties with Russia are more than transactional; they reflect frustration with existing security frameworks and a global contest for influence in Africa. For Moscow, Somalia is both a…

June 14, 2025Russia, Somalia, USA

Geopolitics Psyops

Russia’s Strategic Signaling: The Baltic States in Moscow’s New Precondition for Ending the Ukraine War

In a recent provocative statement, a deputy from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) declared that ending the war in Ukraine would require the withdrawal of NATO troops from…

June 11, 2025Baltic, Russia, USA

Geopolitics National Security Situation Reports

Sailing Without a Coast: Russia’s Role in Building Ethiopia’s Navy Staff and Its Regional Implications

In recent years, Ethiopia—despite being a landlocked country—has taken concrete steps toward re-establishing a naval force, an effort now receiving support from the Russian Federation. This cooperation reflects a convergence of strategic…

June 10, 2025Ethiopia, Russia

Geopolitics Intelligence ops

Bear Meets Dragon: The Escalating Espionage Rivalry Between Russia and China

Despite their strategic “no limits” partnership, intelligence leaks show deep mistrust between Moscow and Beijing. A recent New York Times–cited report revealed internal Russian warnings that Chinese intelligence is actively targeting…

June 9, 2025China, Russia

ecology Geoeconomics Geopolitics National Security

Hungary’s Sanctions Evasion Nexus: Economic Ties with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as a Backdoor for Russia

Hungary’s economic engagement with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan appears smooth on the surface, but it plays a deeper role in enabling Russia to circumvent Western sanctions. Both Central Asian nations formally condemned…

June 6, 2025EU, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Russia