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☆ Record number of NATO allies expected to hit defense spending target amid war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at the Czernin Palace, in Prague, Czech Republic, May 31, 2024. A record more than 20 NATO member nations are hitting the Western military alliance's defense spending target this year, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday, as Russia's war in Ukraine has raised the threat of expanding conflict in Europe. The estimated figure is a nearly fourfold increase from 2021 in the ranks of the 32 NATO members meeting the alliance's defense spending guideline. NATO members agreed last year to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense. But after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, NATO members unanimously agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense within a decade.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Vladimir Putin's, Stoltenberg, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Putin Organizations: NATO, Wilson Center, White House, . Defense, Ukraine's Locations: Prague, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Europe, Washington, Sweden, Finland, Soviet Union, Russia, Ukraine's Crimean

☆ The Sticking Points That Kept Russia and Ukraine Apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Anton Troianovski | Michael Schwirtz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The Sticking Points That Kept Russia and Ukraine ApartRussia and Ukraine failed to agree on a range of critical issues when they held peace talks in the spring of 2022. Russia’s Position Russia demanded that Ukraine never join NATO or other alliances; host foreign military bases or weapons; or conduct military exercises with other countries without its consent. Russia’s Position Russia agreed to much of Ukraine’s security guarantees proposal but with key exceptions. Russia’s Position Russia’s stance has also fluctuated. Russia’s Position But Russia’s definition of “denazification” shifted quickly after its initial invasion failed.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, —, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, ” Organizations: The New York Times, NATO, European Union, Ukraine’s, Crimea ”, Ukraine, Mr, Russia’s, ” International, United Nations Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, France, China, guarantors, Belarus, Turkey, Territory, Crimea, Moscow, Ukrainian, Russian

☆ Allies Warn Former Fighter Pilots Not to Train Chinese Military Members
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For years, U.S. officials have accused China of stealing American technology to design and build fighter planes. But while China learned how to build advanced fighters, its pilots could not fly them so well. U.S. and allied intelligence officials warned on Wednesday that Beijing was intensifying a campaign to entice former fighter pilots from Western nations to train Chinese pilots. “To overcome their shortcomings, China’s People’s Liberation Army has been aggressively recruiting Western military talent to train their aviators, using private firms around the globe that conceal their P.L.A. ties and offer recruits exorbitant salaries,” said Michael C. Casey, the director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center.

Persons: —, “, ”, Michael C, Casey Organizations: Liberation Army, U.S . National Counterintelligence and Security Center Locations: China, Beijing, United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

☆ China is trying to overcome weaknesses in its military by 'aggressively recruiting' Western pilots to train its aviators, Five Eyes intel allies warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewChina is "aggressively recruiting" Western military personnel to train its air force pilots and naval aviators, attempting to lure them in with "lucrative" contracts and promises of opportunities to fly "exotic aircraft," the US and its allies are warning. Related storiesChinese schemes target Western pilots, flight engineers, air operations center personnel, and technical experts knowledgeable about military tactics, techniques, and procedures. The Chinese military "wants the skills and expertise of these individuals to make its own military air operations more capable while gaining insight into Western air tactics, techniques, and procedures," the newly released bulletin said. Advertisement"The insight the PLA gains from Western military talent threatens the safety of the targeted recruits, their fellow service members, and US and allied security," it added. Despite efforts from Western governments to warn its veterans and military personnel about the Chinese poaching efforts, the recruitment continues to evolve, the bulletin noted.

Persons: —, New Zealand —, Michael Casey, Chen Jimin, Casey, Wang Jingtian Organizations: Service, New Zealand, NATO, People's Liberation Army, Business, PLA, US National Counterintelligence and Security, Zhuhai Air Show, China News Service, Getty, US, Job, US Marine Corps Locations: China, Canada, Australia, New, Beijing, Washington, Changchun, China's Jilin Province

☆ US and allies warn China is intensifying its efforts to recruit Western military pilots
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Western-trained pilots can teach Chinese military personnel everything from air combat tactics to how to land on an aircraft carrier, according to a US official. Former western pilots — which number at least in the dozens — are training Chinese military officials who then return to China and, in turn, train more pilots there, this person said. An indictment in 2017 alleged that Duggan trained Chinese pilots while he was still a US citizen, between November 2009 and November 2012. That same month, the UK Ministry of Defense issued a security alert after several of its military pilots were also found to have been training the PLA Air Force. Last August, two US Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly sending sensitive military information to Chinese intelligence officers.

Persons: “, ”, Michael Casey, Sabrina Singh, Adm, John Aquilino, Charles Q, Brown —, —, ” Brown, Daniel Duggan, Duggan, Matt Olson Organizations: CNN, Western, Wednesday, Liberation Army, National Counterintelligence and Security Center, PLA, Pentagon, National Intelligence, ” Military, Former, US, Pacific Command, PLA Navy, PLA Air Force, ”, Air Force, NATO, People’s Liberation Army, Air Chiefs, US Marine, UK Ministry of Defense, Australian, Export Control, US Army, People’s Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, Western, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States, South Africa, Singapore, Laos, Australian, People’s Republic

☆ Putin's favorite NATO member wants to 'redefine' membership so it doesn't have to help Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Hungary's prime minister said officials are working to "redefine" his country's NATO membership. The aim is to not have to "take part in NATO actions outside NATO territory," Viktor Orbán said. The change would likely allow Hungary to avoid being involved in future NATO assistance to Ukraine. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe NATO member most aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to alter its membership in the Western military alliance so that it can avoid aiding Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion.

Persons: Hungary's, Viktor Orbán, —, Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's Organizations: NATO, Service, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Hungary, Ukraine

☆ Russia's fearsome S-400 air-defense system isn't quite living up to the hype in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Russian S-400 surface-to-missile systems in the Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square on i in May 2023. Ukraine in September said it destroyed two Russian S-400 batteries in Crimea, a region annexed by Russia in 2014. Rajan Menon, the director of the Grand Strategy program at the US think tank Defense Priorities, described the S-400 as Russia's "top-of-the-line air defense system." A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia in September 2020. A Patriot air defense system test-fired during a training in Chania, Greece, on November 8, 2017.

Persons: —, Fredrik Mertens, John Hoehn, it's, Hoehn, AP Mertens, Mertens, Ian Williams, Mattias Eken, Rajan Menon, Vitaly Nevar, Mick Ryan, you've, DIMITAR DILKOFF, Ryan, haven't, hasn't, KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, might've, Eken, Anthony Sweeney, Army Menon Organizations: Service, Business, Hague, Strategic Studies, NATO, SA, International Institute for Strategic Studies, US Patriot, Reuters, RAND Corporation, Ukrainian Air Force, Forbes, Directorate of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, South Korea Defense Ministry, AP, Patriots, Storm, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Defense, REUTERS, Australian Army, Getty, Victory Day, Patriot, Army Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russia, Moscow, Crimea, Screengrab, Soviet, US, Russia's, Ukraine's Luhansk, South Korea, Kaliningrad, Southern Russia, AFP, Chania, Greece, United States, West, NATO

☆ Ukraine’s foreign minister blames ‘everyone who is not doing enough’ for recent battlefield setbacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Eve Brennan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Kuleba’s comments come after Moscow has ramped up its offensive in northern Ukraine. Vovchansk, in the northern Kharkiv region, has faced an onslaught, with Russian forces claiming to control surrounding villages, forcing civilians to flee. A pillar of smoke rises from behind apartment blocks after the shelling of Russian troops in Kharkiv on Friday. Ukrinform/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesAnalysts say Russia was prepared for the hiatus in Western military aid to Ukraine and has exploited it for its own gain. It comes as Kyiv’s forces are thinly stretched, with much less artillery than the Russians, inadequate air defenses and a lack of soldiers.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, “, ” Kuleba, Jim Sciutto, ” George Barros, Kuleba, ”, Ogirenko, Tim Lister Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian, Lennart, Conference, Russian, Kharkiv, Getty, Analysts, Institute for, Ukraine Locations: Tallinn, Estonia, Ukraine, Moscow, Vovchansk, Kharkiv, Russia, Washington, Ukrainian, Donetsk region

☆ US intelligence sees Russia step up disinformation campaign against Ukraine’s Zelensky
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Russia has stepped up its disinformation efforts to discredit Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and raise questions about his legitimacy in recent months, US intelligence agencies have observed. Russia has spread disinformation about Zelensky since before the war started but recent intelligence shows “it’s definitely increasing,” the official said. The administration has also imposed sanctions against individuals and entities connected with Russian disinformation. Both Ukraine and Russia have been involved in disinformation efforts against each other for years. “Not only have we seen these disinformation efforts increasing but we also expect them to continue to increase.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, “ it’s, “, ”, Zelensky, ’, Vladimir Putin’s, ’ ”, Gavin Wilde, ” Wilde, isn’t Organizations: CNN, Biden, ’ ” Biden, National Security Council, Carnegie Endowment, International Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Avdiivka, Ukrainian, Ukraine’s, Russian, Zelensky

☆ Ukraine's pilots are flying high-risk 'wild weasel' missions first developed in the Vietnam War by the USAF, says defense analyst
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Eastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 Wild Weasel fires off an AGM-88 HARM towards a Russian radar. (Summer ‘22) pic.twitter.com/IOeu7hzUxW — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 8, 2024The US Air Force pioneered SEAD tactics in the Vietnam War. The term "wild weasel" originated from Project Wild Weasel. This US Air Force anti-SAM strategy used direct attacks to suppress enemy air defenses, according to the National Museum of the US Air Force. But, he added Ukraine's tactics "go far beyond the classic wild weasel missions of Anti-Radiation Missile equipped aircraft."

Persons: —, UkrAF Su, McDonnell Douglas, Stuart Lutz, Gado, Seaman Anthony N, Frederik Mertens, Mertens, William LaPlante, Justin Bronk, Bronk, Russian SAMs, James Hecker, Kajsa Ollongren, Putin Organizations: Service, Ukraine's, US Air Force, Radiation, Business, Ukrainian Air Force, Air, National Museum of, US Navy, US, U.S . Navy, Communication, Hague, Strategic Studies, Radiation Missile, Defense, Washington DC, Wild, Technology, Royal United Services Institute, Russian SAM, United States Air Forces, Air Force, Space, Rygge Air Force Base, OLE BERG, Getty, Dutch Defense Locations: Ukraine's Soviet, Eastern Ukraine, Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian, treetop, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq, Yugoslavia, London, Europe, Romania, Norway, AFP, Netherlands, Vilnius, Denmark, Crimea, Kerch

☆ China is untangling its economy from the West. It could be preparing for long-term tensions — and an invasion of Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

What's more, Xi Jinping has told the Chinese military to prepare for war and said that reunification with Taiwan is inevitable. But not everyone thinks a Chinese military move is necessarily imminent. If China was actively preparing for a near-term invasion of Taiwan, Kennedy said there are a few things he might expect to see first. AdvertisementIf China does invade, the global economic impact would be huge, and despite its efforts to secure its economy, China would likely be far from unscathed. "Any action against Taiwan would be disastrous for China's economy," Chilukuri said.

Persons: —, Vivek Chilukuri, Scott Kennedy, It's, Chilukuri, Xi Jinping, China's, Jinping, Kennedy, he'd Organizations: Service, Business, West, Center, New, New American Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: China, Southeast Asia, Europe, US, Taiwan, New American, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Hong Kong

☆ A US ally is forging ties with China's air force but probably won't get its J-20 stealth fighter
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The UAE is boosting ties with China's air force. Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, commander of the UAE's Joint Operations, met with the commander of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force on April 23 to promote closer air force cooperation. Another even speculated Abu Dhabi may eventually seek China's premier stealth fighter: the fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon. I don't see this relationship developing into something similar to what the UAE Air Force has with France or even Russia anytime soon." Furthermore, the Emirati air force fighter fleet is already large for such a small country, making it unlikely the L-15s will serve any combat role.

Persons: —, General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, China's, Abu Dhabi, Abu, Abu Dhabi's, Ahmed Aboudouh, Aboudouh, Washington's hesitance, Fred Tanneau, Sebastien Roblin, Roblin, haven't, Russia's Su, Robin Organizations: Service, United, Liberation Army Air Force, Dassault Rafales, Chatham House, China Studies Unit, Emirates Policy Center, Rafale, Dassault Aviation, UAE Air Force, UAE, China hasn't, FC, Korea's KF, UAE . The Emirates, KF Locations: UAE, Washington, Beijing, United Arab Emirates, China, United States, Abu Dhabi, UAE's, France, Abu, Russia, Saudi, Pakistan, Ukraine

☆ Russia may not start an all-out war with NATO, but already has plans to destroy it from within
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Late last year, Poland's national security agency estimated that Russia could attack NATO within three years. AdvertisementBut whether Putin really does intend to attack NATO and what an attack might look like remains unclear. In March, Putin denied having any plans to attack NATO members, describing such claims as "complete nonsense." "So, his ambition in growing is not going to be that he will attack NATO and NATO countries next year. A covert war is already underwayRussia, some point out, is already engaged in a war with NATO, albeit covertly.

Persons: —, Donald Tusk, Tusk, Putin, Emmanuel Macron, NATO Putin, Philip Ingram, Ingram, Ruth Deyermond, Bryden Spurling, Robert Dover, Spurling, that's, SERGEY BOBOK, Russia's Organizations: Service, Poland's, Business, Bild, NATO, Germany isn't, Ukraine, King's College London, RAND Corporation, University of Hull, European NATO, RAND, Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces Locations: Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Baltic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Washington, Russian, NATO, European, Kharkiv, Soviet Union

☆ Audacious Ukrainian drone attacks keep doing massive damage to Russia's oil industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The strikes are doing serious damage to Russia's oil and gas sector. Bloomberg reported that Russia's oil refining is at an 11 month low. AdvertisementBloomberg earlier this week reported that Russia's oil refining is at an 11-month low because of flooding and Ukraine's drone campaign. Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil depots are one of the few bright spots in its war in recent months. "Future Ukrainian drone strikes may disable and disrupt more of Russia's refining capacity and inflict critical constraints on Russian refining that begin to substantially impact Russia's production of distillate products," the analysts said.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, AFP, Metallurgical, The Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russia's Smolensk, Lipetsk, Russia's, Ukraine's, US

The Israeli military told CNN it does not comment on foreign reports. CNN cannot verify the Times’ report, nor independently verify the claims from Iran, Syria and Israel. Increasing pressureAs the Middle East braces for a potential Iranian response, Tehran is under pressure to show strength in the wake of the consulate attack while not drawing the region into a wider war. The Lebanese Shia militant group has been embroiled in daily crossfire with Israeli forces for nearly six months. However, Israeli military spokesman Hagari blamed Iran for escalating tensions in the region.

Persons: Mohammed Reza Zahedi, Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, Donald Trump, IRGC, Qassem Soleimani, ”, Israel, Daniel Hagari, “, Israel’s, Syria Hossein Akbari, Nasser Kanaani, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, d’affaires, Amir, ” Amir, Faisal Mekdad meanwhile, Houthi, Parsi, Zahedi, Bejamin Netanyahu, Hagari, I’m Organizations: CNN, Revolutionary Guards, Foreign Ministry, Israel Defense Forces, New York Times, Hamas, Ministry of Health, Zionist, Iranian Foreign Ministry, Israel, Syrian Foreign, Diplomatic Relations, US, Quincy Institute, Responsible Locations: Iran, Israel, Syria, Gaza, Damascus, Baghdad, Tehran, Lebanese, ” Iran, United States, Quds, Iranian Embassy, Iranian, Islamic Republic, Washington, Swiss, Switzerland, Syrian, Vienna, Iraq, Jordan, Red, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Yemen

☆ How vast swarms of drones could transform the future of war
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Drone swarms use cutting-edge technology derived from studying bird flocks and fish shoals to coordinate their movements across a potentially vast area. Advertisement"Autonomous, armed drone swarms should have restrictions on their use, especially drone swarms targeting humans. Ochmanek stressed that targeting decisions for drone swarms should still be made by humans, with AI only synthesizing the data. AdvertisementCountering the swarmsAs well as developing plans to deploy drone swarms, defense companies are working on a playbook for countering them. Another possibility, said Ochmanek, is that drone swarms could be programmed to target other drone swarms.

Persons: —, Zak Kallenborn, David Ochmanek, Ochmanek Organizations: Service, RAND Corporation, Business, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Iraq, United Nations Locations: China, US, Israel, Europe, Ukraine

☆ After the Moscow Attack, Putin’s Next Escalation Is Coming - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Hanna Notte | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In the wake of the terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall last Friday, which killed at least 143 people, Russia is in mourning. Despite ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack, the Russian leadership has repeatedly blamed Ukraine and its Western backers. But even without the Crocus City Hall attack, Mr. Putin was primed to step up his assault on Ukraine. After his landslide victory in this month’s rubber-stamp presidential election, Mr. Putin is more secure than ever in his position and free to focus fully on the war effort. The timing is good, too: With Western military support for Kyiv mired in uncertainty, the next few months offer Moscow a window of opportunity for new offensives.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, “, ”, Dmitri Peskov, Putin Organizations: Moscow’s, ISIS Locations: Moscow’s Crocus, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Crocus, Russian, Moscow

☆ Russia accused a longtime ally of 'distorting history' in an effort to break off relations with Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewRussia's foreign minister accused Armenia, a former ally, of "distorting history" in an effort to "break off" relations with Moscow. Last month, it said it had "frozen our participation" in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The Collective Security Treaty Organization is considered Russia's equivalent to NATO , and Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped it could rival the Western military alliance. Advertisement"The Collective Security Treaty has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022. While tensions between Aremnia and Russia are clearly strained, experts on Russia and former Soviet Union countries say that relations between Russia and other CSTO members are also under pressure.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov, Lavrov, Nikol Pashinyan, Putin, Pashinyan, Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg's Organizations: Service, Security, Organization, NATO, Business, Russian, Ukraine's Kyiv, Russian Federation, Soviet Locations: Armenia, Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, France, South Caucasus, Central Asia, Aremnia

☆ Ukraine is in a race to stop Russia's mounting glide-bomb attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Short flight times, small radar signatures, and non-ballistic trajectories make glide bombs particularly difficult to intercept as well. "When the Ukrainian air-defense bandwidth is all tied up, they then move in with the fixed-wing aircraft to conduct these glide-bomb attacks," he said. This includes the 1,100-pound FAB-500, 3,300-pound FAB-1500, and 6,600-pound FAB-3000 bombs — all of which can be modified and turned into glide bombs. "That makes the mission planning for attacks with standoff weapons that can hit fixed targets, like the glide bombs, quite practical," he explained. And it won't be entirely the fault of glide bombs — Kyiv needs all the tools its forces can get right now.

Persons: —, George Barros, Scott Peterson, they've, Alexander Ermochenko, Barros, Assad, Ivan Gavrylyuk, Justin Bronk, Su, ALEXANDER NEMENOV, Bronk, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Alina Smutko, Ukraine doesn't Organizations: Service, Business, Institute for, REUTERS, Ukrainian, Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, Handout, Royal United Services Institute, Victory Day, Getty, Archer Artillery, Roman, Getty Images, Patriot, Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Russian, Petropavlivka, Avdiivka, Ukraine's Donetsk, Ukrainian, Kharkiv, AFP, Donetsk

☆ High maintenance 'prima donna' F-16 jets will be hard work for Ukraine, former US Marine pilot says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine is due to receive much-anticipated F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies. He said the jets are much more "high maintenance" than the Soviet-era aircraft Ukraine is used to. AdvertisementAs Ukraine awaits the long-anticipated delivery of F-16 jets from its Western allies, experts warn that it may face challenges operating the "high maintenance" aircraft. AdvertisementYuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, told Politico that some changes would be needed for Ukraine to operate the F-16 Fighting Falcons. AdvertisementA cohort of Ukrainian pilots began training on the F-16 in Denmarks's Skrydstrup Air Base last August, Reuters reported.

Persons: —, Tom Richter, Yuriy Ihnat, Lockheed Martin, Troels Lund Poulsen Organizations: Marine, Service, US Marine, National Guard, Politico, Ukrainian Air Force, Fighting Falcons, Falcons, US Air Force, Lockheed, Air Force's, US, Air Base, Reuters, New York Times, Ukrainian, Royal Air Force, French Air Force, The Times, Nokia, Times Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, Denmark, Netherlands, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Russian

The intensifying military cooperation between Russia and Niger is central to the dispute between the US and the Nigerien junta, officials said. Russia and Niger agreed to strengthen their military ties in January, Russia’s Defense Ministry said at the time. If the US were forced to withdraw, counterterrorism efforts across the region could take a hit, officials said. In return, Russia is profiting off the region’s natural resources, another official said, including the gold mines in Niger. Several European countries shared this goal, offering a measure of support to the junta, the official noted.

Persons: Michael Langley, Celeste Wallander, Col, Maj, Amadou Abdramane, Langley, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, what’s, Nusrat al, “ Organizations: CNN, US Africa Command, Air Base, American, Nigerien, Russia’s Defense, EU, Pentagon, Kremlin, West, Russian Federation, National Council, Wagner, US Locations: Africa, Russia, Africa . Niger, Niger, United States, America, Nigerien, Sahel, stoking, China, Russian, Central Africa, ”, Niamey, US, Agadez, Mali, Burkina Faso, Abdramane, Western Africa, Northwest Africa

☆ Russia hit a Ukrainian port city using one of its more brutal tactics, a double-tap missile strike that kills emergency workers too
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewRussia launched multiple missiles at the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, including emergency responders who were looking for survivors. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said after an initial strike hit the city, its rescue workers quickly arrived at the site to search for wounded civilians, sort through the debris, and extinguish fires. In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, emergency services work at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, March 15, 2024. In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, emergency services help their comrade injured during a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, March 15, 2024. Ukrainian Emergency Service via APThe attack is the latest on the strategic port city of Odesa.

Persons: —, Oleh Kiper, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Ukraine Bridget Brink Organizations: Service, Emergency Service, Business, Regional, Ukrainian Emergency Service, AP, Civilian, Southern Defense Forces, United Nations, Greek, Ukraine, NATO Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Odesa, Ukraine, Crimean, Syria, Russian, Europe

☆ Orban Endangers Hungary’s Status as an Ally, U.S. Diplomat Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister Viktor Orban is jeopardizing Hungary’s position as a trusted NATO ally, the U.S. ambassador to Budapest warned on Thursday, with “its close and expanding relationship with Russia,” and with “dangerously unhinged anti-American messaging” in state-controlled media. The ambassador, David Pressman, has for months criticized Mr. Orban for effectively siding with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russa over the war in Ukraine, but his latest remarks sharply ratcheted up tensions and indicated that trust in Hungary among NATO allies had collapsed. Hungary is “an ally that behaves unlike any other” and is “alone on the defining issue of European security of the last quarter century, Russia’s war in Ukraine,” Mr. Pressman said in a speech in Budapest marking the 25th anniversary of Hungary’s admission to the Western military alliance. “We will have to decide how best to protect our security interests, which, as allies, should be our collective security interests,” he added.

Persons: Viktor Orban, “, David Pressman, Mr, Orban, Vladimir V, Putin, Russa, ” Mr, Pressman Organizations: NATO Locations: NATO, U.S, Budapest, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary

☆ From warning on nuclear war to 'psychotropic drugs': Here are 5 things Putin told the Russian media
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin making a speech at the second Eurasian Economic Forum on May 24, 2023, in Moscow, Russia. In an interview with pro-Kremlin media published Tuesday, Putin laid out his vision for relations with the West, war and peace. 1) Russia 'technically' ready for nuclear warPutin was again keen to point out that Russia is ready for a nuclear war on a technical and military level. Nonetheless, Putin said Russia would be ready to conduct nuclear tests — if the U.S. did so. It's estimated that the war has cost Russia at least 315,000 dead and wounded troops during two years of war in Ukraine.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Dmitry Kiselev, Mikhail Klimentyev, Ria Novosti, Rossiya, We've, Ukraine's, Joe Biden, Jens Stoltenberg, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ludovic Marin, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: Economic Forum, Getty, Kremlin, RIA Novosti, Ukraine Rossiya, It's, Afp, Ria, Russian Federation —, NATO, AFP, Ukraine Locations: Moscow, Russia, U.S, Ukraine, Crimea, Europe, Paris

☆ Ukraine has been a disaster for Russia's troubled army, but the deadlock is shifting things in Moscow's favor, US intelligence says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewRussia's military has suffered serious damage in the Ukraine war, but after more than two years of hard fighting, the deadlock on the battlefield is shifting the momentum in Moscow's favor, according to a newly released US intelligence assessment. This figure, which is based on information available as of late-January, is much lower than more recent Western estimates. "Nonetheless, this deadlock plays to Russia's strategic military advantages and is increasingly shifting the momentum in Moscow's favor," the report continued. AdvertisementA destroyed Russian tank is seen as Ukrainian serviceman rides a tractor and tows a Russian military vehicle near the village of Dolyna in Ukraine's Kharkiv region in September 2023.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Jose Colon, There's, Gleb Garanich, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Russia's Organizations: Service, Russia, Business, Anadolu, Getty, Russian, intel, REUTERS, Bakhmut, White Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Moscow, Dolyna, Ukraine's Kharkiv, Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Anadolu, United States

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