Romanian Aegis Ashore site. U.S. Missile Defense Agency Photo
The Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency declared a ballistic missile defense site in Romania operational this week. Read More
Aegis Ashore Site in Romania Declared Operational
Tag Archives: Vladimir Putin
Opinion: Russian Tank Deal With Nicaragua ‘Back to the Future’ Moment for U.S.
Russian T-72B Main Battle Tank in 2013. Russian Ministry of Defence Photo
In late April Russia shipped the first 20 of 50 T-72B tanks ordered by Nicaragua—causing a Cold War Back to the Future moment for Latin America watchers. Read More
Brookings Panel: Improved China – Russia Relationship is a Marriage of Convenience
Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin greet participants of Joint Sea-2014 exercise at Wusong naval port in Shanghai, east China, May 20, 2014. Xinhua Photo
Although China and Russia have certainly grown closer in the last several years, their relationship is a marriage of convenience since for both their most important international relationship is not with each other but in dealing with the United States. Read More
Analysis: What Russia’s Military Withdrawal From Syria Means for Fight Against ISIS, Assad Regime
A Russian strike aircraft operating over Syria. Russian Defense Ministry Photo
On Monday — less than half a year after Russia announced its intervention in Syria — President Vladimir Putin stated that beginning Tuesday, Russia would begin withdrawing “the main part” of its air forces from the country’s civil war. Read More
Author: Russia Uses More Tools Than Just its Military to Influence, Threaten Neighbors
Russian airborne soldiers march in Moscow in 2013. photo by Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Russia’s meddling in countries along its borders “ has deep roots” and likely would continue after President Vladimir Putin finally leaves the Kremlin, an expert in political risk said Wednesday. Read More
Despite Declining Economy, Russia Shows No Signs of Slowing Military Spending
A stumbling Russian economy does not signal any shift in Kremlin spending less on its military and internal security forces, or the beginning of widespread political upheaval, a leading Moscow economist said Monday. Read More
Document: Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community
The following is the Feb. 9, 2016 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Read More
National Intelligence Director Clapper: ISIS ‘Most Significant’ Non-State Threat to U.S., Allies
National Intelligence director James Clapper and Defense Intelligence Agency director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart on Feb. 9, 2016 before the Senate Armed Services Committee. C-SPAN Image
The “most significant” threat to the United States and its allies from a non-state actor remains the Islamic State, the U.S. National Intelligence director told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday, citing its continued successful recruitment of foreign fighters and establishment of affiliates in places such as Libya. Read More
Russian Mystery Submarine Likely Deployment Vehicle for New Nuclear Torpedo
A rendering of the Project 09851 nuclear submarine Khabarovsk used with permission. H I Sutton Image
Russia’s plan to create a giant nuclear torpedo capable of wiping out a costal city could be farther along than just graphics on a briefing slide and gives purpose to a mysterious nuclear submarine, currently under construction. Read More
Marine Harriers Strike ISIS Targets; French Carrier Leaves for Middle East
An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), launches from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on Nov. 19, 2015. US Navy Photo
Naval forces resumed air strikes against the Islamic State this week after a one-month pause in participation in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the Navy announced today. Read More
