Latest Articles about North America

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

Moscow Changes War Rhetoric but Stays War Course
Executive Summary: Moscow is altering its narratives on the confrontation with the West and its propaganda campaign on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in response to recent U.S.-initiated diplomatic activity. Russian state media has been instructed to avoid criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and... MORE

Belarus Hopes to Reset U.S. Ties with Prisoner Release
Executive Summary: On February 12, Belarus released three political prisoners, including a U.S. citizen and two Belarusian nationals, signaling an attempt to reset relations with the United States. The releases are part of Belarus’s broader strategy to de-escalate tensions with Western countries, particularly under the... MORE

Poland Caught in the Middle of Diplomatic Maneuvers Affecting European Defense and Security
Executive Summary: Poland is navigating internationally to maintain the unity of the North Atlantic alliance while anticipating a European defense structure without the United States. U.S. officials have praised Poland as a model for NATO states to emulate in terms of defense spending and military... MORE

Moscow Seeks to Regain Initiative in the Game of Peace Talks
Executive Summary: Moscow sees its recent diplomatic engagement with the United States as a sign of progress, with Russian President Vladimir Putin aiming to regain the initiative in peace talks. Russia is anticipating that last week’s Munich Security Conference indicates possible rifts in trans-Atlantic relations... MORE

Belarus’s ‘Calmest Elections’ Hold Potential to Pave the Way for Rapprochement
Executive Summary: Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was named the winner of Belarus’s seventh presidential election for his seventh consecutive term. This election starkly contrasted with the last election, as it was relatively calm without mass protests. The Western response to the election was overwhelmingly negative,... MORE