![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/region-europe.jpg)
Latest Articles about Europe's East
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Manturov-640x360.jpg)
Workforce Shortages Plague Russian Arms Manufacturing
Executive Summary: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov recently claimed that 520,000 workers have been added to the country’s military-industrial complex since the beginning of 2023, though he conceded that the sector is still facing a deficit of 160,000 employees. These estimates, however, misrepresent a... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ukraine-air-defense-640x307.jpeg)
The State of Ukrainian Air Defense (Part Two)
Executive Summary: Russia’s long war against Ukraine has highlighted the importance of front-line air defense systems as well as the accompanying munitions and reconnaissance/communication capabilities. The proliferation of precision air attack weapons and the unprecedented number of simultaneous air threats have elevated the importance of... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Russians-deserting-640x320.jpg)
Fragging, Desertions, and Other Problems Mounting for Russian Invaders
Executive Summary: Moscow’s forces in Ukraine face increasing problems with the military, both at the front and at home. These issues are bound to affect Russia’s ability to fight in the coming months. At the front, Russian commanders are dealing with fragging, desertions, and corruption.... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RALF.png)
Horațiu Potra: Romanian Mercenary in Africa Competes with Wagner Remnants
Executive Summary: Once thought a vestige of the past, Eastern European mercenaries have returned to Africa under the leadership of Romanian Horațiu Potra. Potra runs a private military company (PMC) composed of other Romanian former members of the French Foreign Legion. Both Potra and his... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Russian-Cossacks-1-640x395.jpg)
Moscow Uses Cossacks to Feign Interethnic Harmony in Russia
Executive Summary: The Kremlin is increasingly relying on the state-registered Cossack movement to feign interethnic harmony and national unity in Russia, pushing back against reports of growing social unrest throughout the country. While the Cossacks are touted as rising above ethnic differences, some still promote... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Szijjarto-in-Minsk-640x480.jpg)
Hungary Defies EU Policy Toward Belarus
Executive Summary: Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó recently visited Belarus to discuss expanding trade amid stringent EU sanctions, cooperating more closely on nuclear energy, and maintaining open lines of communication. Budapest is the only EU capital that recognizes the post-2020 political status quo in Minsk... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Russian-military-production-640x427.jpeg)
Russian Economy Stagnates Amid Claims of Growing Global Influence
Executive Summary: Pro-Kremlin analysts increasingly insist that Moscow is becoming a leader in the next phase of global technological advancement and is moving toward the economy of the future. Some official statistics indicate otherwise. Russian production and technological development still depend heavily on foreign-made machine... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Caspian-Sea-development-640x396.jpeg)
Transformation of Caspian Sea Region Into Energy Hub Gaining Momentum (Part One)
Executive Summary: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan have formed a plan for the transmission of green energy to the European Union via the Caspian Sea. The use of Caspian routes to transport energy to Europe has increased following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Kim-and-Putin-Cheesin-640x360.jpg)
Putin’s Asia Tour Exposes Russia’s Rapid Degradation From Long War
Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea and Vietnam to neutralize the diplomatic outcomes of the peace summit in Switzerland and prove Russia’s ability to maintain a high international profile. Nuclear saber-rattling and Moscow’s need for more artillery shells were high on Putin’s... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Українські_військовослужбовці_непорушно_стоять_на_захисті_повітряних_кордонів_держави_31862270651-640x427.jpg)
The State of Ukrainian Air Defense (Part One)
Executive Summary: Over the past two years, Ukraine has weathered Russian strikes on critical targets, and the intensity of Russian missile and air strikes could soon lead to the exhaustion of Ukraine’s missile stocks. As Ukraine’s stocks have dwindled, the effectiveness of air defense has... MORE