Japan’s Defense Ministry has secured funding to build two new Aegis destroyers, the country’s defense minister announced Tuesday. In a press conference, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said he obtained approval for the funding following a Tuesday meeting with Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki to … [Read more...]
Assessing country risk in the wake of peace negotiations.
You'd struggle to explain what Washington wants in Ukraine — because Washington doesn't know either. The Financial Times reported yesterday that the US is mediating peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, but two rival factions are taking turns writing the script. One orbits the president. The … [Read more...]
Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole. The planned Artur Chilingarov Ice Base is to be established on Arctic drifting sea ice near the North Pole and is intended to serve both scientific purposes and … [Read more...]
Russia Risks Logistics Crisis With Winter Troop Surge In Ukraine
Military history offers a clear warning about the logistical challenges of conducting large-scale offensive operations in Eastern Europe during the winter, a lesson learned repeatedly at great cost. Today, Russia appears poised to repeat this mistake, having ordered a troop surge in Ukraine as part … [Read more...]