Putin hums ‘Georgia on my mind’
By James M. Dorsey What did Russian President Vladimir Putin think when he ordered his troops into Ukraine? Ray Charles’ ‘Georgia on mind’ must have been humming in his head.…
Russian societal tensions are mirrored in Putin’s Orthodox church
By James M. Dorsey The Russian Orthodox Church blesses rather than fires weapons. In doing so, it has emerged as a powerful weapon in its own right in President Vladimir…
Imaging the day after a Russian conquest of Kyiv: Not a pretty picture
By James M. Dorsey It may be only a matter of time before Russian troops control the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and topple President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, that may not…
Ukraine: It’s the new world order, stupid
By James M. Dorsey Ukraine is about much more than the security of one sovereign nation. The battle for Ukraine is a battle for the new world order. In that…
Putin’s post-Soviet world remains a work in progress, but Africa already looms
By James M. Dorsey Russian civilisationalism is proving handy as President Vladimir Putin seeks to expand the imaginary boundaries of his Russian World, whose frontiers are defined by Russian…
Russia Sends Second Batch of Combat Aircraft to Syria
On 3 June 2020, Russia confirmed the delivery of more MiG-29 combat aircraft to Syria; just days after the US military had accused Moscow of using Syria to transfer warplanes…
Israel Shines in the Gulf Where Big Powers Falter
The Firefly, an Israeli-built loitering kamikaze drone, part of the Spike family of missiles that the Jewish state has sold to various European nations, may be one reason why Gulf states,…
An Outbreak Anywhere Is an Outbreak Everywhere
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has become the articulate, compassionate political face of government competence in fighting a pandemic. That’s quite an achievement for a man who as late as…
Amnesty Documents 18 Attacks on Clinics and Schools in Syria
On 11 May 2020, Amnesty International reported that during the past year, Russian-backed Syrian regime forces had carried out 18 attacks on medical facilities and schools in northwest Syria. The…
Gulf Security: Arab Gulf States Have No Good Options
Members of Saudi security forces take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia | Photo: Reuters/Umit Bektas[/caption]…