Russia Reform Monitor No. 2530
Russia's increasingly criminal war;
Moscow's "Twin Cities" program a soft attempt at integration;
How Putin plans to reshape Russian society in his image;
Tokyo takes a stand
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Publications
Africa Political Monitor No. 19
Rumor has it, China plans second naval base in Africa;
Ethiopia's TPLF forces the young to fight;
Africa's energy, Europe's predicament;
Mali withdraws from the G5
Russia Needs Its Own Charles de Gaulle
Whoever emerges from the inevitable turmoil in Russia, he, she, or they will have to address the open wound that Putin’s Ukraine gambit has opened in the Russian polity itself.
China Reform Monitor No. 1512
FBI and MI5 heads warn of China threat;
Pakistan resists Beijing's pressure to protect assets;
Vast cache of hacked Chinese police files offered for sale;
China to take over the moon: NASA chief;
China crushes protest by bank depositors
Russia’s African Inroads Bear Watching
For the Kremlin, the African continent has emerged as a serious strategic priority – and a new battleground in its struggle for influence with the West.
Resource Security Watch No. 44
Resource sales fuel Putin's war... for now;
US worries over China's influence over Latin American minerals...;
...as China looks to Africa in the race for lithium;
Russian military moves in the Arctic worry the West
Biden’s Missed Opportunity in Saudi Arabia on Energy
Anyone hoping that President Biden’s sunny prediction that his trip to Saudi Arabia would result in lower prices at the pump in a matter of weeks should not hold their breath.
Europe and Russia’s New War
NATO’s Old/New Mission
Assessing Germany’s “New Era” in Foreign and Security Policy
Confronting Europe’s Energy Insecurity
Is Europe Getting Serious about Russian Disinformation?
For Ukraine, Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2529
A Russian default... by default;
The curtain comes down on Russian emigration to Israel;
How Russia is stealing Ukraine's grain;
More nuclear saber rattling from Moscow
AFPC Recent Historical Presence in Ukraine
Though there has been a significant global increase in focus on Ukraine since the 2022 invasion by Russian forces, AFPC has been deeply invested in Ukrainian affairs for years, as displayed throughout the following images.
Defense Technology Monitor No. 78
DOD makes progress on space nuclear propulsion;
Novel deepfake detection needed;
Making combat vehicles current;
China advances the automation of its drone swarms;
Wanted: Big Tech in a small package
An ICAO for the Moon: It’s time for an International Civil Lunar Organization
Given that the United States has committed to a sustainable lunar presence, and committed to promoting norms, the United States should take leadership in an International Civil Lunar Organization.
The EU Gets Real About Energy Security
Standing up to Putin’s blackmail, the European Parliament classifies some nuclear and natural-gas projects as ‘sustainable.’ The U.S. should follow its lead.
Colombia’s President-elect Gustavo Petro promises a trifecta of trouble for US
Gutavo Petro's election is a potential calamity for the United States and threatens to undermine one of the few success stories America can boast of in our own hemisphere.
China Reform Monitor No. 1511
G-7 unveils $600B plan to combat China's Belt and Road Initiative;
TikTok's China-based employees access US user data;
WHO chief believes Covid probably leaked from Wuhan lab;
China orders foreign financial companies to set up CPC units;
One in four European firms considering relocating out of China
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2528
The Chechen factor in the Ukraine War;
Ikea eyes the exits;
More proof of Putin's corruption;
Cyber-target: Lithuania;
Putin's manpower problem
Resource Security Watch No. 43
The military costs of climate change;
A global sand crisis on the horizon;
US Navy aims to curb emissions;
How climate is propelling migration
US is playing risky game with Saudi Arabia and Iran
Biden’s commitment to reviving the nuclear deal is not only problematic in terms of curbing Iranian nuclear activity, but it also threatens to undercut his effort to restore relations with Riyadh that have become increasingly important to U.S. strategic interests.
I went to Medina as a Jew, Biden should go too
On the road to Medina, Saudi officials recently removed signs reading “Muslims only.”
China Reform Monitor No. 1510
Congress targets university investments in hostile Chinese firms;
UK universities face sanctions for CPC money, curbs on free speech;
Germany turns away from China;
Italian PM vetoes another tech transfer to China;
Estonian woman convicted of spying for China
China Reform Monitor No. 1509
Three US companies sanctioned for sending blueprints to China;
WHO: China still withholding data on Covid origins;
Xi offers Putin closer cooperation;
The rise of Chinese fentanyl industry in Mexico;
PRC fighter jets conduct "dangerous" inceptions
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2527
In St. Petersburg, Putin takes a defiant turn;
Russian military families start to speak up;
Flashpoint: Kaliningrad;
Ottawa invests in arctic defense against Russia;
Russian hackers eye Ukraine's allies
Global Islamism Monitor No. 98
A foiled ISIS assassination;
Sahel militancy surges;
Islamism and Bangladeshi cyberspace;
Pakistan's new government makes counterterrorism a priority;
The detainee threat persists
The Logic of Israel’s Laser Wall
In early February, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced a major new defense initiative when, in an address to Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies, he laid out his administration’s plans for a “laser wall” to protect the country from rockets, missiles and UAVs.
China Reform Monitor No. 1508
Canada to ban China's Huawei and ZTE from its 5G networks;
Taiwan remembers the Tiananmen Square, Hong Kong silenced;
China's attempts to influence Jerusalem post backfire;
China-linked Twitter harassment targets female journalists;
China's surgeons have become executioners
Beijing Eyes Pacific Islands, Exploiting U.S. Strategic Vacuum
The newly contested region needs serious U.S. attention.
Poll – U.S. Support For Ukraine’s Defense Against Russia Remains Strong
The results of a recent survey suggest that Ukraine represents something of a policy unicorn in this fractious political climate—one that can bring together a wide range of Americans.
Biden is right to visit Saudi Arabia
However odious the regime on Riyadh, a clear-eyed, sober-minded, prepared Biden can advance U.S. interests when he meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2526
Moscow plans to consolidate control...;
... As Russian law enforcement enters;
Russia's cruel occupation;
Putin is striking by his absence;
Dissent in the (religious) ranks
Africa’s Coming Food Crisis – And How To Help Alleviate It
With the proper structure, regional leadership, and underwriting from foreign donors (including the United States and European nations), regional planning could go a long way toward strengthening the continent's most vulnerable countries against the coming economic and societal shocks caused by food scarcity.
Get Ready for a Communist Chinese Commissar Influencing Your Asset Manager
Uncritically sustaining an economic relationship with China over the course of five decades has strengthened a country that regards itself as an adversary of the United States.
Information Warfare Watch No. 13
Is China drifting away from Moscow's messaging?;
Beijing's new propaganda target;
ISIS: Spread of disinformation a sacred "duty";
Hezbollah's information war
Defense Technology Monitor No. 77
Towards bounce-back body armor;
Supplementing or supplanting GPS?;
Military in the Metaverse;
Iron Beam advances;
Transportable nuclear power
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2525
Moscow's costly campaign;
Putin fast tracks citizenship for sympathetic Ukranians;
Assessing Putin's health;
The fruits of Putin's war: a Ukrainian guerrilla movement
The Ukraine War Has Become A Waiting Game
The trajectory of the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth month, can be characterized by one word: patience.
Establish Space National Guard now
Establishing the Space National Guard is the smart thing to do. To secure the nation’s advantage, it is essential that both the House and Senate include the Space National Guard language in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
With referendum, Kazakh President pushes for reforms
The proposed constitutional changes, following five months after the greatest unrest in the country’s modern history, accelerate the efforts by the country’s president to push for controlled political reforms. The EU, while focusing on Ukraine, should continue to engage with strategically important Central Asia.
US needs a strategy for a realigned Middle East
Washington lacks a comprehensive strategy to constrain Iran’s regime while strengthening U.S. ties to its people. An increasingly realigned Middle East requires more than ever that it develop one.
America’s Sins of Omission in the Indo-Pacific
If we don’t pay attention to the Solomon Islands and the Marshall Islands, China will be too happy to step in.
Boris’s Big Blunder on Energy
A cautionary tale for the U.S. as the U.K.’s ‘Conservatives’ choose pointless windfall taxes over investment incentives to deal with energy issues.
Defense Technology Monitor No. 76
Guarding the grid;
Israel's new sky sensor;
Quantum superchargers;?;
A Chinese microwave machine;
Automated triage coming soon
A Paradigm Shift For The Russian-Iranian Alliance
The longstanding strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran is changing.
China Reform Monitor No. 1507
John Lee wins Hong King's top job with 99% of votes;
Hong Kong police arrest 90-year-old Catholic cleric;
Biden accuses China of trying to meddle with semiconductor bill;
China to boost ties with Russia in military tech, energy and space;
China's hackers obtain trade secrets in the US, Europe and Asia
China Reform Monitor No. 1506
Xi moves to silence "zero Covid" critics...;
... as China censors who chief's criticism;
China cracks down on "illegal entry and exit";
A social media campaign against "historic nihilism";
China orders government, state firms to dump foreign PCs
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2524
The Ukraine war is a fight over food;
Thinking beyond Putin;
Domestic backlash deepens;
What Ukrainians want
Indo-Pacific Monitor No. 25
Singapore defies neighbors, sanctions Moscow....;
... while Japanese PM swings through SE Asia to bolster unity;
Beijing eyes the South Pacific;
AUKUS expands;
How Delhi is planning to decouple from Moscow
News Flash: The Islamic Republic Is Far From Popular
Just how durable is Iran's clerical regime, really? For years, Iran's ayatollahs have worked diligently to convince the world that their Islamic revolution is a popular—and permanent—enterprise.
US, Ukraine need to agree on goals
Are the United States and its allies willing to pay the price, assume the risks, and support Ukrainian efforts not only to restore the borders of Feb. 23 but also retake Crimea? They may be. But let’s make sure there’s no misunderstanding on that score in Kyiv, Washington, or the capitals of our NATO allies.
China Reform Monitor No. 1505
Expats exiting China;
China's leading financial firms shun Russian banks;
Xi introduces a new "Global Security Initiative";
Web users told to report anti-CPC "Historical Nihilism";
China, Iran agree advance military ties
Russia Reform Monitor No. 2523
Putin's real war plans;
The FSB on the outs...;
... as Russia's military becomes restless;
Russia's spy push