Read more about the article Russian Nuclear Strategy: Implications for Deterrence and Arms Control
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Russian Nuclear Strategy: Implications for Deterrence and Arms Control

Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, expectations of a stable, predictable, and indivisible European security order have seemingly failed to materialise. Given the implications of the war, debates surrounding nuclear weapons returned to public scrutiny after long being confined to a niche of experts and policymakers. Arguably, the conflict triggered the most serious nuclear crisis since the end of the Cold War, which is exacerbated by the allusive wording of Russian officials and pundits regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Anxiety about Moscow’s first strike against Kyiv or its allies slowed down support for the invaded country. As such, this InfoFlash considers the implications of Russian nuclear posture for Ukraine and Europe, analysing the structure of Russian nuclear forces and doctrine, and their relations with Moscow’s strategic goals.

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23 February 2024
Read more about the article Artillery in Ukraine – A Critical Evaluation
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Artillery in Ukraine – A Critical Evaluation

This study will critically evaluate defence and international affairs specialist James Bosbotinis’ article (2023) titled ‘The Lessons of the Ukraine War and its Implications for Artillery,’ weighing up its strengths while also providing analysis on the topic of artillery in Ukraine. Bosbotinis’ article is an in-depth and well-sourced study of what NATO and its Western allies more generally can learn from the tactics and weapon systems used by both sides of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Presenting an exhaustive analysis of the use of artillery, it evaluates the complementary nature of higher-end precision or guided systems and cheaper unguided conventional weapons. The nature of the war has highlighted the vulnerabilities that NATO countries could encounter if they were to directly engage against Russia. From munitions stockpiles to the risks associated with having large logistical chains, to the ever-increasing importance of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), artillery seems to have proven itself to be a key player in the waging of modern warfare.

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18 January 2024
Read more about the article Russo-North Korean Military Cooperation – A Strategic Partnership Reborn?
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Russo-North Korean Military Cooperation – A Strategic Partnership Reborn?

From 13 to 17 September 2023, Kim Jong-un embarked on his first visit to a foreign leader in over four years as he travelled to the Russian Far East to meet Vladimir Putin. This meeting symbolised a convergence of interests in opposing the U.S.-led Western order from which both countries find themselves increasingly isolated. Hence, although the summit did not produce an explicit statement of what was discussed or agreed on at the surface level, the meeting sparked fears of a potential arms deal between the two countries, which could well contribute to revitalising Putin’s war machine in Ukraine (Ye Hee Lee & Bolton, 2023).

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22 November 2023
Read more about the article U.S. Integrated Deterrence and Europe’s Strategic Autonomy: Issues for Deterring Russia
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U.S. Integrated Deterrence and Europe’s Strategic Autonomy: Issues for Deterring Russia

The Ukraine war has had a myriad of geopolitics outputs in Europe, from grain commerce, energy supply, and to defence architecture of the continent. For the latter concept, it is well known that the United States plays a significant role in the deterrence equation through NATO (NATO, 2022). Nevertheless, the situation before Russian aggression is likely to change, and the burden of forward posture efforts from the different allies will be realigned.

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27 October 2023
Read more about the article The Aerial Chessboard: Russian Aviation’s Struggles Against Ukraine’s Ground Defences
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The Aerial Chessboard: Russian Aviation’s Struggles Against Ukraine’s Ground Defences

After one year and a half of war, none of the belligerents achieved to take the upper hand in the air. Air superiority in the Ukrainian sky is still denied to Russia. Why is the Russian Aerospace Force (VKS), theoretically superior by number and by equipment, having difficulties against the outnumbered Ukraine Air Force? What conclusions should Europeans armies draw from this modern interstate war?

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23 October 2023