Latest Articles about North America

U.S. Preemptive Concessions Gain Nothing From Russia in Ukraine Ceasefire Talks (Part Two)
(Part One) Executive Summary: Moscow is drawing Washington into an incremental, conditions-tied process, instead of a quick and unconditional ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The U.S. White House has agreed to “help” Russia mitigate certain Western sanctions—including U.S. ones—that affect Russian agricultural exports. Russia... MORE

Tragic Fate of U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania Highlights Growing European Security Concerns
Executive Summary: Four U.S. soldiers, members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, went missing on March 25 during training near Lithuania’s border with Belarus. The U.S. Army has confirmed that three were found dead after their armored vehicle was recovered from a deep swamp.... MORE

The Party’s One-Way Approach to People-to-People Exchanges
Executive Summary: The People’s Republic of China (PRC) frames people-to-people exchange programs as benign cultural and educational efforts, but in reality, they serve to advance the Chinese Communist Party’s agendas—such as the “community of common destiny for mankind”—and bolster the PRC’s geopolitical aims. While the... MORE

U.S. Preemptive Concessions Gain Nothing From Russia in Ukraine Ceasefire Talks (Part One)
Executive Summary: Consultations among the United States, Russia, and Ukraine are dealing piecemeal with narrow aspects of a putative ceasefire. Moscow stonewalls the quick, comprehensive ceasefire that the Trump administration pursues. A maritime ceasefire (moratorium on firing at sea) could result in banning Ukrainian naval... MORE

Azerbaijan, Israel, and United States Seek Trilateral Cooperation Format
Executive Summary: Israel announced on March 6 that it is in discussions with the United States to establish trilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan, deepening long-standing ties between Israel and Azerbaijan in security, energy, and diplomacy. This trilateral initiative positions Azerbaijan as a bridge between the Middle... MORE

Interest in 3D-Printed Firearms Rising Among Islamist Militants
Executive Summary: Traditionally, Islamist militants have not been quick to adopt the newest drone and 3D printing technology, but the popularization of 3D-printed firearms (3DPFs) on Islamic State platforms suggests that that is changing. If 3DPFs become more widespread, malicious actors will be able to... MORE

Moscow Responds to Washington’s Unilateral Concessions
Executive Summary: Moscow has instructed Russian propagandists, including state officials and media, to offer “restrained” praise for the new U.S. administration. In practice, they manage to follow this directive only when discussing U.S.-Russia relations. Some propagandists gloat and claim that the U.S. administration’s domestic policies... MORE

New Armenia-U.S. Partnership On Pause
Executive Summary: The Charter of Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the United States, signed in January 2024 under the then-outgoing administration, aligns with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s strategy to reduce Armenia’s dependence on Russia, despite Moscow’s concerns and diplomatic engagements following the signing. The charter... MORE

Triumphalism in Moscow About Setback in Peace-Making for Ukraine Could be Short-Lived
Executive Summary: Russian propagandists are capitalizing on the aftermath of the talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 28, highlighting the diplomatic discord. The Kremlin cautiously monitored U.S.-Ukraine negotiations, concerned about economic implications and potential Western unity. While Russian... MORE

U.S. Firms to Invest in Ukraine’s Rare Earth Elements in Return For Continued Aid
Executive Summary: Ukraine and the United States reached a landmark deal on rare earth elements (REEs), with Ukraine allocating proceeds from the future monetization of its mineral resources to fund domestic projects. Washington has emphasized securing REEs and critical minerals from Ukraine in exchange for... MORE