Ukraine
The war in Iran – again – points to the strategic shortcomings of assassination as policy of foreign affairs
Targeted killings can disrupt an adversary, but they rarely lead to collapse — especially when the target is a nation-state like Iran.
Trump’s insistence on personal loyalty from ambassadors could crimp US foreign policy
Ambassadors play a middle role between the countries where they serve and the one they represent. Trump insists their loyalty must be to the US.
Lasting peace in Ukraine may hinge on independent monitors – yet Trump’s 28‑point plan barely mentions them
Building in safeguards, including third-party monitoring, can increase the chances of a successful peace by almost a third, research shows.
Ukraine is under pressure to trade land for peace − if it does, history shows it might not ever get it back
Ukraine may need a major, system-level change or crisis in Russia to regain any lost territories.
Welcome to the ‘gray zone’ − home to nefarious international acts that fall short of outright conflict
Nations are becoming adept at provocations that fall in the area between routine peacetime actions and open warfare.
Russia’s drone pipeline: How Iran helps Moscow produce an ever‑evolving unmanned fleet
Ukraine has warned that Russia could soon be pumping out 1,000 drones a day. Iranian technology has driven that growth.
Russia’s pared‑down Victory Day parade tells a story: Away from the pomp, war in Ukraine is not going to Putin’s plan
Moscow’s influence is Eastern Europe has been slipping of late, including with the loss of a stalwart ally in Hungary. The battleground, as ever, remains Ukraine.
Why the US military is stuck using $1 million missiles against Iran’s $20,000 drones
Bureaucratic hurdles mean the US military typically has to wait a decade between the time it sees a new threat and the employment of a new system to defend against it.
As the Kremlin eyes a thaw with the White House, Russia’s pro‑war hawks aren’t too happy
A majority of Russians are in favor of peace talks, but a very vocal minority eye US overtures with suspicion and contempt.