Ukraine
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…
The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Japan has emerged as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. The notoriously immigration-resistant Japan has so far accepted 2,500 Ukrainian refugees…
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…
You name it! Are country name changes necessary?
From Turkey to Türkiye, Czech Republic to Czechia, FYROM to North Macedonia, and potentially India to Bharat, countries changing names, or at least considering it, seems to be on…
The right lessons for Australia’s future warships
Australia looks set to make a big decision about the future of its navy – and this time, it’s not submarines.
We are days away from the release of the Surface Fleet Review, a…
Putin believes that time is on Russia’s side – and, sadly, he has a point
The political squabbles in the United States and Europe over continued aid to Ukraine epitomise the wider problem facing Kyiv’s backers: how to sustain popular, and thus,…
An Australian strategy for improved aid to Ukraine
The recent debate about the future of the Australian Army’s decommissioned Taipan helicopters has highlighted a lack of coordination and transparency in Australia’s approach to…
Putin’s confidence heading into 2024
As 2023 draws to a close, Vladimir Putin must be surveying the world with some satisfaction and confidence. That’s certainly the impression the Russian President conveyed in his…