Russia
The Kyrgyzstan route facilitating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Kyrgyzstan’s trade figures defy economic logic, suggesting that a vast amount of its imports are bound for a third country – namely, Russia. Kyrgyzstan’s trans-shipment to Russia…
Russia conundrum in the Caucasus and beyond
A growing number of former Soviet republics, including Russia’s allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), are distancing themselves from the Kremlin. Moscow…
Why Russia has only now declared war on Ukraine
On 22 March, the Kremlin officially declared, two years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, that Russia is in a state of war. “Yes, it started as a special military operation…
Moscow attacks: Why Putin was quick to blame Ukraine
As details of the recent terrorist attack in Moscow gradually emerged, the whirlwind of speculations surrounding culpability intensified. Theories ranged wildly from accusations…
Islamic State terror attack in Moscow a grim acknowledgement of global power status Russia seeks
President Vladimir Putin has long sought to restore Russia’s global status after the personally and nationally humiliating defeat of the Cold War. One of the ways he has done so…
A summit between Japan and North Korea? About time
North Korea keeps on surprising. While Pyongyang is busy erasing all references to unification with South Korea, it is extending an olive branch to Japan.
It all began early in…
Why is Putin again threatening a nuclear war?
In his state of the nation speech last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western support for Ukraine risks triggering a global war. Echoing his rhetoric from the…
Can South Korea become a global pivotal state?
“South Korea should no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula but rise to the challenge of being what I have described as a ‘global pivotal state’, one that advances freedom,…
Open for business: North Korea welcomes back visitors
After three years of pandemic lockdowns, North Korea is reopening its doors to foreigners. The welcome mat was put out in March 2023, when the country welcomed new Chinese…
Putin unrivalled
The death of Alexei Navalny marks the snuffing out of Vladimir Putin’s last genuinely charismatic critic on Russian soil. As the man ultimately responsible for unlawfully…