Latest Articles about national security

Moscow Facing Ever Greater Problems Getting Troops to Fight in Ukraine
Executive Summary: Moscow is facing ever greater problems filling the ranks of its invasion force. Increasing signing bonuses and pardons for those who serve are less effective than advertised. The Kremlin is turning to ever more repressive and deceptive measures, but these are not working... MORE

Russian Drone Crash Exposes Critical Weakness in Latvian Comprehensive Defense
Executive Summary: An armed Russian drone crash incident reveals in Latvia on September 7 the significant shortcomings within the Latvian comprehensive defense system. These shortcomings are related to the lack of certain military capabilities within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They also expose critical... MORE

The Power Vertical: Centralization in the PRC’s State Security System
Executive Summary: Centralizing reforms to the Ministry of State Security probably constitute the most important development in China’s civilian intelligence system since its establishment in 1983. These reforms instituted “vertical leadership,” under which the MSS is empowered to control local bureaus’ personnel affairs, budgets, and... MORE

Moscow Hopes Bishkek Can Help Control Kyrgyz Migrant Workers in Russia
Executive Summary: Moscow is relying more heavily on local ethnic militias made up of immigrants to ensure order in Russian cities as the war in Ukraine continues and more Russians are sent to the front. Moscow is allowing Bishkek to play a role in supervising... MORE

Norwegian Intelligence Assessment on Russian Interference
Executive Summary: Following the invasion of Ukraine, Norway faces heightened security risks from Russia, including espionage attempts and incidents involving drones near critical infrastructure. In the intelligence’s assessment, Norway’s oil and gas facilities, essential to the European energy supply, are particularly vulnerable targets, necessitating strengthened... MORE

Beijing’s Latest Data Security Regulations Create Framework for Broad Domestic and Extraterritorial Supervision
Executive Summary: The State Council-approved “Network Data Security Management Regulations” impose stringent compliance requirements on data processors and platform service providers to safeguard personal information, important data, and cross-border data. The “Regulations” signal continued efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to assert control... MORE

Russian Community Extremists Becoming the Black Hundreds of Today
Executive Summary: The Russian Community, a Kremlin-backed group of far-right Russian nationalists, has increasingly been attacking marginalized communities such as non-ethnic Russians, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and abortion doctors. The Russian Community works with the Russian security agencies, but the government is not yet ready to... MORE

Ukraine Leads World in Drone Innovation and Production
Executive Summary: Russia’s war in Ukraine has become the world’s first drone, digital, and cyber war, and resilience, innovation, adaptation, and quick learning has allowed Ukraine to keep one step ahead of Russia. Ukraine is fighting a people’s war, and its military-industrial complex has significantly... MORE

Militant Groups Resurface in Armenia’s Struggle Against Radicalization
Executive Summary: Last month, Armenia arrested several individuals accused of recruiting others to stage a coup in the country. The group has a history of recruiting Armenian citizens as foreign fighters in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Armenian government faces a potential vulnerability from militant... MORE

PRC at 75: Xi Makes Dour Address While Critics Articulate Bleak Outlook
Executive Summary: Xi Jinping’s address on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) highlighted risks and challenges ahead and included a lengthy segment on unification with Taiwan. The speech was accompanied by relatively muted celebrations on October 1, which... MORE